Dozens of probationary employees at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) were recently dismissed, with official letters citing poor performance as the reason for their dismissal, despite internal documents showing that most of the employees were rated as “exceptional” performers by their supervisors, according to NBC.
A source familiar with the matter expressed dismay over the apparent discrepancy.
“These letters that we’re sending these employees, I feel so bad because they’re lying. All of them, pretty much, were exceptional performers. It’s just crazy to me," they told NBC.
The dismissals come amid the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reshuffle the federal workforce. The speed of these terminations, often executed by officials with limited government experience, has led to confusion within agencies, with some departments even attempting to reinstate workers who were let go.
On Thursday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) directed federal agencies to dismiss probationary employees, a move that could impact hundreds of thousands of workers. Under federal rules, probationary status does not necessarily reflect an employee’s performance but instead denotes a worker’s tenure typically less than two years in a federal role before full civil service protections take effect. Employees who transfer to a new agency or position may also be placed in probationary status.
Termination letters sent to affected DOT employees stated that employees "have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Department of Transportation would be in the public interest.”
According to federal regulations, agencies must terminate probationary employees who fail to demonstrate their qualifications for continued employment. However, regulations also require agencies to provide specific reasons for an employee’s dismissal.
Neither the Department of Transportation nor the White House responded to requests for comment. McLaurine Pinover, an OPM spokesperson, said the administration would release the total number of terminated probationary employees across government agencies on Tuesday but deferred specific questions about the DOT firings.
In an earlier statement, an OPM spokesperson told the publication: “The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment."
“Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard.”
Meanwhile, the US government is trying to reinstate National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) workers who were dismissed on Thursday amid concerns that their dismissals could threaten national security, according to the BBC. NNSA is responsible for designing, building and overseeing the US nuclear weapons stockpile.
A source who spoke to CNN said the employees include those at its Office of Secure Transportation, the office in charge of driving or otherwise transporting nuclear weapons around the country securely. Acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins said the agency received direction to reinstate probationery employees on Friday morning.
