US court blocks mass firing of federal employees

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the reinstatement of thousands of probationary federal employees who were recently terminated by the Trump administration. The judge ruled that the Office of Personnel Management lacked the authority to execute these mass firings, deeming the performance-based termination rationale a "sham." The Trump administration plans to appeal the decision, asserting that the judiciary is overstepping its authority.

These terminations come amid broader debates on government funding and operations. Every year, the US faces the task of deciding how the government will fund itself. The process is supposed to be simple: lawmakers divide the budget into 12 key bills, decide where the money goes, and get it all done by October. In reality, however, it’s anything but straightforward. Deadlines are often missed, and quick-fix solutions like temporary funding bills are passed to avoid government shutdowns. The real drama can happen in the final hours, as lawmakers scramble to finalize a massive spending package, all while balancing political interests and public pressure.

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