Chicago – February 24, 2025
A top government watchdog says the recent firings of probationary federal employees may be illegal. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC), led by Hampton Dellinger, has asked the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to halt the terminations of six employees across six federal agencies while an investigation takes place.
Dellinger stated that the termination notices were nearly identical and did not mention specific performance or conduct issues. Federal law generally requires a 60-day notice for job cuts and prevents firing probationary employees for reasons unrelated to their work performance. The affected workers were from the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and the Office of Personnel Management.
The White House has not commented on the situation.
Dellinger, who was appointed by President Biden, was fired by former President Trump on February 7 but sued for reinstatement. A court temporarily allowed him to stay in his position, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the case while the legal battle continues.
The OSC and MSPB are key agencies that protect federal workers’ rights. Dellinger’s request aims to ensure fair treatment for the affected employees while the investigation proceeds.
