Defense Department Pauses Mass Firings Amid Legal Review Concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department has temporarily halted plans to fire thousands of civilian probationary employees amidst concerns regarding the potential impact on U.S. military readiness, according to sources familiar with the situation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review following reports that the mass firings could affect over 50,000 employees and may violate federal law.

The pause was enacted to provide time for the Pentagon‘s Office of General Counsel to assess the implications of these firings, which could disrupt military operations. Concerns were raised about whether the firings align with Title 10, Section 129a of the U.S. Code, which requires an analysis of how workforce reductions may affect military effectiveness.

A senior defense official noted that an analysis had not been conducted prior to military leaders being instructed to compile lists of employees to terminate, as stated in a CNN report on February 19. The law stipulates that maintaining military readiness takes precedence over financial considerations.

In a video posted on social media, Secretary Hegseth indicated that the department’s focus would be on terminating lower-performing employees first. However, sources have confirmed that the Office of Personnel Management is employing a broad rationale to justify the firings, claiming that the probationary employees are no longer necessary to the Pentagon’s operations.

Throughout the week, defense officials have been working late nights to create lists of employees who should be exempt from the firings due to their critical roles, particularly in cybersecurity, intelligence, and national security.

The potential scale and implications of the firings have led to significant confusion and anxiety among Pentagon employees. There are also worries about how the cuts might affect ongoing defense missions.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense, through spokespersons, declined to provide further comments on the ongoing situation. As the federal government grapples with an initiative for large-scale workforce reductions, ongoing scrutiny continues to rise regarding the intended and unintended consequences of such sweeping changes.