US Labor Department Reinstates Laid-Off Employees Amid Ongoing Staffing Cuts

The US Labor Department has reportedly reinstated approximately 120 employees who were previously laid off as part of the government's recent mass termination efforts. This decision comes amid ongoing staffing reductions across various federal agencies, a move initiated by the Trump administration and influenced by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

According to the American Federation of Government Employees, the reinstated personnel have been placed on probation and are expected to return to work on Monday. The union indicated that most of these workers had been on leave prior to their reinstatement.

The Labor Department has not publicly commented on this development, nor has the White House responded to inquiries regarding the matter. This reinstatement follows a directive from President Trump, who emphasized that agency heads, rather than external figures like Musk, should have the final say in personnel decisions.

In a related move, the Merit Systems Protection Board instructed the US Department of Agriculture to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 employees while it reviews appeals against their dismissals. This situation highlights the significant impact of the federal workforce reductions, which have already seen around 25,000 employees terminated and an additional 75,000 opting for voluntary exit packages.

Trump has expressed the need to downsize the federal bureaucracy, advocating for a more precise approach rather than sweeping cuts. However, the administration's strategy has faced criticism for its broad-brush tactics.

In parallel developments, the Justice Department has also experienced staff changes, with at least two senior officials being dismissed. Among those let go was Liz Oyer, who oversaw the office responsible for processing presidential pardon requests, and Bobak Talebian, who managed the office for information policy.

These dismissals have raised questions about the administration's approach to staffing as it attempts to reshape the federal landscape in line with its agenda. New leadership within the Justice Department has indicated that confidence in career officials to implement the administration's policies is essential, although specific reasons for the dismissals have not been provided.

The changes in federal employment practices reflect a broader trend of disruption within the US government, as the current administration seeks to redefine its operational framework.