Donald Trump signed an executive order making it easier to fire thousands of senior federal workers, stripping job protections from about 8,000 employees deemed to be "influencing" government policy. Labor union leaders argue this move is a step backward to the "spoils system."
President Trump has issued an executive order reclassifying approximately 8,000 federal workers, primarily at the GS-15 level, as at-will employees. This move strips them of civil service protections, allowing for dismissal without cause and potentially increasing government politicization.
A new survey reveals that 95% of over 300 former federal probationary employees laid off by the Trump administration report ongoing mental health effects, with nearly half experiencing PTSD-like symptoms. Many struggle to find comparable employment, contradicting claims of better jobs and higher pay.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, determining that immigration judges must use the federal employee complaint system rather than federal court to challenge speech restrictions, in a decision that may impact presidential power over independent agencies.
The Trump administration proposes requiring federal workers to sign NDAs to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information to journalists, sparking concerns over whistleblower protections and First Amendment rights.
US GDP grew 2% in Q1 2026, driven by a 10% jump in government spending and 6.4% domestic investment in AI infrastructure. However, consumer spending is slowing as the war with Iran pushes oil to $126/barrel, raising inflation expectations from 3.8% to 4.7% in one month. The Fed's Powell warned of institutional independence pressures from the Trump administration while maintaining a hold strategy.
