The radical Left is entrenched in their war against Trump. It’s taken a strange turn.
Because President Trump was just smacked with a lawsuit that has set Washington, D.C. on fire.
Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Federal Workforce Cuts
On Friday, a group of 20 Democratic attorneys general launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration, accusing it of improperly terminating thousands of probationary federal employees without prior notice. The lawsuit, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, claims these mass firings violate federal law, which the plaintiffs argue requires a minimum of 60 days’ notice before such large-scale layoffs can take place. For supporters of President Trump, this move might be seen as a necessary step to trim an overgrown bureaucracy, though the attorneys general paint it as reckless and unlawful.
The legal action zeroes in on directives from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which instructed federal agencies to evaluate the employment of thousands of probationary workers based on what the administration calls “agency judgment regarding mission needs.” To critics, this sounds like an overreach, but to those in Trump’s corner, it’s a pragmatic approach to ensuring taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted on unnecessary positions. The complaint, however, pulls no punches: “These large-scale, indiscriminate firings are not only subjecting the Plaintiff states and communities across the country to chaos. They are also against the law.”
The coalition—representing states like Arizona, California, Colorado, and others, along with the District of Columbia—demands an immediate injunction to stop further terminations and restore jobs for workers let go since January 20. They argue that the Trump administration, working through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has aggressively targeted the federal workforce for reduction. The plaintiffs point to a supposed breach of federal statutes mandating 60 days’ notice before Reductions in Force (RIFs), framing it as an attack on procedural fairness. Yet, from a pro-Trump lens, this could be viewed as a bold effort to dismantle a system long criticized for inefficiency.
The numbers cited in the lawsuit add fuel to the fire. In New York alone, at least 372 federal employees have sought unemployment benefits in the last two weeks. Nationwide, over 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workers—including staff at VA hospitals in New York—lost their jobs, alongside personnel from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The irony isn’t lost on Trump supporters: the IRS, which ballooned under President Biden with plans for 87,000 new hires, now faces cuts that some argue are overdue. The lawsuit laments the human cost, stating, “It has rendered them jobless without providing any advance notice that might have given them the opportunity to seek other employment or even budget to prepare for the loss of income.”
In response, the Trump administration hasn’t been idle. On January 28, an OPM memo offered about 2 million eligible federal workers a “deferred resignation” package, including eight months of pay and benefits—a generous lifeline, some might say, for those willing to step aside. An updated OPM memo from March 4, issued amid legal pushback against DOGE’s streamlining efforts, clarified, “OPM is not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees. Agencies have ultimate decision-making authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions.” This hands-off stance could signal Trump’s trust in agency leaders to make tough calls, aligning with his administration’s push for accountability.
Elon Musk, a key figure in Trump’s efficiency drive, has been vocal about the rationale behind these cuts. “If bureaucracy is in charge, then what meaning does democracy actually have?” he asked, framing the sprawling executive agencies as a threat to the will of the people. “It does not match the will of the people, so it’s just something we’ve got to fix.” For Trump allies, this resonates as a call to restore power to elected leaders, not unelected bureaucrats—a sentiment that fueled his 2024 return to the White House.
The lawsuit, filed by a roster of Democratic-led states, may strike some as a predictable partisan counterpunch to Trump’s agenda. With no date set for the first hearing, the battle lines are drawn: one side sees chaos and illegality, while the other sees a long-overdue reckoning with a bloated federal system. As this plays out, Trump’s supporters might argue he’s delivering on a promise to shake up Washington—even if it means ruffling feathers along the way.
Trump Empowers Cabinet, Keeps Musk in Check on Government Overhaul
President Donald Trump convened a pivotal meeting on Thursday with his Cabinet secretaries, Elon Musk, and key advisors, setting a clear tone for his administration’s ambitious plans to streamline the federal government. In a move that showcases his leadership style—decisive yet pragmatic—Trump emphasized that while Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) play a critical role, the final say on staffing decisions rests firmly with his Cabinet leaders.
Sharing on Truth Social after the meeting, Trump shared his optimism about the discussions. “We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one,” he wrote. “It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people.” His words signal a commitment to efficiency without sacrificing competence—a balance that resonates with his promise to make government work for the American people again.
Trump elaborated on his directive, encouraging his Cabinet to take a meticulous approach to workforce reductions. “As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet,'” he added. This measured stance reveals a president intent on rewarding merit while trimming excess—a strategy that aligns with the practical, results-driven ethos he’s championed since day one.
Yet, the meeting wasn’t just about empowering his team. It also served as a subtle check on Musk, whose outsized influence within the administration has occasionally ruffled feathers. Trump’s decision to clarify that Cabinet secretaries—not DOGE—hold the reins on staffing decisions marks a rare public adjustment to Musk’s authority. While Musk has been a driving force in reshaping the federal bureaucracy, Trump’s comments suggest he’s keenly aware of the need to keep his appointees in the driver’s seat.
The backdrop to this dynamic is DOGE’s aggressive push for cuts, which has sparked lawsuits, voter unease, and grumbling from some congressional Republicans. Musk’s recent demand that federal employees justify their roles or face termination didn’t sit well with several Cabinet members, who initially resisted the move. Trump, however, remains unfazed. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he doubled down on his trust in his team: “Keep all the people you want, all the people that you need.” At the same time, he left the door open for Musk to step in if necessary, noting, “If they can cut, it’s better. If they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.” It’s a classic Trump approach—delegate, but keep a strong hand ready.
Despite the tensions, Trump didn’t hesitate to praise Musk and DOGE’s efforts. “I think they’ve done an amazing job,” he told reporters, a nod to the duo’s relentless pursuit of a leaner government. Musk, for his part, echoed the sentiment on X, calling the meeting “very productive.” It was his second time joining a Trump Cabinet gathering, following a debut last month where he described DOGE as a “support function” to help agencies root out “15% reduction in fraud and waste.” That vision—of a government stripped of inefficiency—dovetails seamlessly with Trump’s pledge to drain the swamp.
Still, the rapid pace of DOGE’s cuts has stirred unease among some Republicans on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have faced heat from constituents at town halls, prompting calls for more insight into DOGE’s operations. In response, Musk spent Wednesday engaging directly with GOP senators and representatives. A nearly two-hour closed-door session with Senate Republicans, organized by Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, tackled concerns about potential voter fallout. Scott’s initiative came after several senators voiced frustration to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles about being left in the dark. Musk followed up with House Republicans, later telling reporters he discussed the “opportunity to improve expenditures in the government.”
For Trump, this balancing act—empowering his Cabinet, leveraging Musk’s tenacity, and managing party concerns—demonstrates a leader in command. His administration’s mission to slash the federal workforce and dismantle bloated agencies is moving full steam ahead, even as it navigates choppy political waters. With thousands already let go and entire departments on the chopping block, Trump’s vision of a nimble, effective government is taking shape. And while Musk’s role remains vital, Thursday’s meeting made it clear: this is Trump’s show, and he’s calling the shots.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
