In a significant blow to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), thousands of federal employees at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been temporarily reinstated following a ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The decision, made by MSPB Chair Cathy Harris on Wednesday, halts the termination of 5,600 probationary employees for at least 45 days while further review is conducted.
The ruling comes just a day after Harris herself secured a legal victory, with a federal judge overturning her dismissal by President Donald Trump. The White House is expected to appeal the decision, continuing a broader battle over federal workforce reductions.
A Temporary Reprieve for USDA Workers
Harris’s decision is the latest development in the ongoing saga of mass federal layoffs, which the Trump administration has pursued as part of its broader government downsizing efforts. The ruling suggests that the USDA’s termination of probationary employees may have violated federal procedures, leaving room for a permanent reinstatement if the MSPB ultimately sides with the affected workers.
The workers in question had been dismissed based on alleged performance issues, a justification that Harris’s board is now reviewing. For now, they will return to their roles, pending further proceedings.
Harris’s Own Legal Battle
Harris’s decision follows her own courtroom drama. After Trump attempted to remove her from her position earlier this year—despite her term running until 2028—she took the administration to court. A federal judge ruled in her favor on Tuesday, declaring her firing unlawful. This allowed Harris to continue overseeing critical decisions, including the fate of the USDA employees.
However, the White House has signaled that it will escalate the case to an appeals court, setting the stage for an extended legal showdown.
The Fight Against Mass Firings
US Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger has also been vocal against the widespread terminations, calling on federal agencies to reverse what he describes as “unlawful” firings. Dellinger, who is also fighting to keep his own job amid Trump’s attempts to remove him, filed the case on behalf of an anonymous USDA employee identified as “John Doe.”
“I am calling on all federal agencies to voluntarily and immediately rescind any unlawful terminations of probationary employees,” Dellinger said. “My agency will continue to investigate and take appropriate action on prohibited personnel practices, including improper terminations. Rescinding these hasty and apparently unlawful personnel actions is the right thing to do and avoids wasting taxpayer dollars.”
DOGE’s Downsizing Efforts Continue
Despite this legal setback, DOGE and the Trump administration remain committed to their workforce reduction plans. The administration has already indicated its intent to cut staff at multiple federal agencies, restructure departments, and, in some cases, eliminate entire divisions.
The MSPB’s upcoming decision will determine whether the USDA employees’ terminations were justified or whether they should be permanently reinstated. For now, their fate—and the broader battle over government downsizing—remains in legal limbo.
