Shock in Federal Court: Judge Reinstates Thousands Fired Under Trump as Explosive Transcript Reveals “Sham Declarations” and Legal Manipulation

Thousands of federal employees fired under the Trump Administration are getting their jobs back after a stunning hearing in a California federal courtroom. A newly released transcript shows a furious judge dismantling the government’s defense, accusing Trump’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of orchestrating an unlawful, government-wide purge of probationary employees. The ruling—issued from the bench, immediately—marks one of the most consequential legal rebukes of Trump’s second term.

The case centers on a February directive in which OPM allegedly ordered all federal agencies to fire tens of thousands of probationary workers. According to court evidence, agencies were sent template termination letters and instructed to dismiss employees en masse, despite lacking legal authority. When asked to testify, the Trump Administration refused to send any officials to court, offering only written declarations—which the judge labeled “sham documents.”

During the hearing, the judge repeatedly scolded the government’s attorney for withholding witnesses and manipulating evidence. At one point, the judge stated flatly: “You are afraid to bring them here because cross-examination would reveal the truth.” He further noted that in more than 50 years on the bench, he had “never seen such frustration of the court’s ability to find the truth.” This unusually sharp criticism signaled where the ruling was headed.

One example highlighted the severity of the misconduct: Leandra Bailey, a federal employee rated “fully successful in every category,” was abruptly fired using OPM’s template letter claiming her performance was not in “the public interest.” The judge called the explanation “a lie,” adding that the government used performance-based firings as a gimmick to strip workers of unemployment eligibility and avoid legal protections. “It was a shame,” he said bluntly, declaring the tactic a deliberate manipulation of federal law.

The judge’s ruling was sweeping. He immediately reinstated all affected employees, extended the restraining order, and banned agencies from using OPM’s termination notices. Most consequentially, the judge declared that OPM has zero authority to order or even “guide” agencies to fire employees—a direct blow to the legal foundation of Trump’s mass-dismissal order. The decision not only voids thousands of firings, but could block future attempts by the administration to reshape the federal workforce through executive pressure.

The fallout didn’t end in the courtroom. Senator Richard Blumenthal condemned the broader pattern of Trump-era authoritarian tactics, citing new moves to strip law firms of security clearances for representing disfavored clients. He warned that the administration’s attacks on free speech, legal representation, and media institutions like CBS and NBC reflect a coordinated effort to weaken democratic safeguards. “It is a full frontal attack,” he said, arguing that the legal system itself is being chilled and intimidated.

Observers note that Trump’s mounting legal losses are now routinely followed by verbal assaults on judges, juries, and law firms—creating a climate of fear around the judicial process. Several federal judges have already required anonymous juries or special security protections due to threats from Trump supporters. Legal experts warn this pattern is escalating now that Trump holds presidential authority again.

The ruling in California marks a rare moment where the judiciary pushed back openly and immediately against efforts to manipulate federal employment law. It also sends a message: the courts will not tolerate mass firings dressed up as performance reviews, nor will they accept executive branch evasions intended to hide the truth. As Trump prepares for more legal battles, today’s decision signals that judges across the country may be less willing to accept political pressure—and more willing to act decisively.