A federal judge ruled that US President Donald Trump’s administration can continue firing government employees. The decision came after labor unions attempted to block the downsizing of the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce.

Judge Rejects Unions’ Request

However, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper denied the unions’ request, stating that he lacked jurisdiction. He explained that labor disputes must go through the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, which governs federal workforce relations.

Judge Cooper, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, emphasized the importance of following legal precedents. He wrote, "Federal district judges are duty-bound to decide legal issues based on the even-handed application of law and precedent—no matter the identity of the litigants or, regrettably at times, the consequences of their rulings for average people."

Unions Fight Back

Meanwhile, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and four other unions filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They argue that the mass layoffs misuse probationary periods and serve as a politically motivated attempt to weaken government operations.

Trump’s "DOGE" Department Leads Layoffs

Since taking office last month, Trump has pushed for widespread job cuts. As a result, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already eliminated thousands of jobs and shut down multiple federal programs.

Furthermore, Trump ordered federal agencies to work with DOGE to identify additional employees for layoffs. In a surprising move, he also appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the department.

For now, the administration remains focused on reducing the federal workforce, despite strong opposition from labor unions.