The Trump administration has reportedly fired thousands of U.S. federal employees over the holiday weekend, according to a report by The Washington Post. Managers were instructed to dismiss workers by Tuesday, leading to what some employees have dubbed the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”
The mass layoffs targeted not only new hires on probation, who typically have fewer protections than permanent employees, but also swept up long-serving staff who had recently transferred between agencies. Among those affected were military veterans and people with disabilities who were employed through special programs that placed them on two years’ probation.
Union leaders have vowed to challenge the firings in court. “Most probationary employees have limited rights to appeal dismissals, but we are committed to fighting these unjust terminations,” stated a union representative. The largest union representing federal workers has indicated plans to pursue legal action against the administration.
Critics warn that the sudden mass layoffs could have swift and negative consequences. The Trump administration, along with billionaire Elon Musk, has been advocating for a leaner, reshaped government. The recent wave of personnel actions has already prompted administrative complaints on behalf of workers at nine agencies, adding to over a dozen legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s authority filed in the first month of his term.
The firings have extended across almost every agency, affecting employees such as map makers, archaeologists, and cancer researchers. Some workers argue that these layoffs contradict a directive from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to retain “mission-critical” staff.
