Major Court Showdown Looms Over Trump’s Mass Federal Firings – What Happens Next?

The Trump administration’s Justice Department (DOJ) is trying to prevent a key witness, Acting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Charles Ezell, from testifying in a lawsuit over the mass firing of probationary federal employees.

This legal battle stems from a controversial directive issued by OPM in February, which led to the termination of thousands of federal workers. Now, a judge wants answers, but the DOJ is pushing back hard to stop Ezell from taking the stand.

Mass Firings Spark Lawsuits

In February 2025, OPM sent a memo recommending that federal agencies fire most employees who had been in their probationary period for less than a year. As a result, thousands of federal workers lost their jobs across multiple agencies, including:

• Department of Veterans Affairs – 1,000 employees laid off
• Health and Human Services – 5,200 employees terminated
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – 1,300 employees dismissed

Even workers at the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Nuclear Security Administration were affected. The sweeping layoffs quickly led to backlash, with multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of the mass terminations.

Judge Demands Testimony – DOJ Fights Back

On February 27, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that the mass firings were not legally justified and could not continue. He also ordered OPM’s Acting Director, Charles Ezell, to testify in court about the decision-making process behind the layoffs.

However, the DOJ is now pushing back. On March 10, it filed a motion to block Ezell’s testimony, arguing that:

• The OPM memo was only “guidance” and not an official order.
• Federal agencies had discretion in deciding whether to follow it.
• Ezell doesn’t live or work in California, so the judge can’t force him to testify there.

The move has sparked even more controversy, with critics accusing the Trump administration of trying to avoid accountability.

What’s Next?

The legal showdown is set for March 13, when the court will decide whether Ezell must testify. If he is forced to take the stand, his testimony could reveal key details about the administration’s workforce reduction strategy.

For now, federal employees, unions, and lawmakers are watching closely. With thousands of jobs on the line and legal challenges mounting, this case could set a major precedent for how future administrations handle federal employment.