You are here

Trump Administration Asks For Stay Of Order To Rehire Fired Interior Department Workers

Share

By

Kurt Repanshek

Published Date

March 15, 2025

Interior Department officials have appealed an order that they rehire terminated employees, saying that would impose a "significant administrative burden" on the agency and be confusing.

Interior Department officials have asked for a stay of a federal judge's order that they rehire employees, including those from the National Park Service, who were fired earlier this year. In doing so, the department maintains that going through rehiring would be confusing and add "significant administrative burdens" for the department.

"Among other things, all reinstated individuals will have to be onboarded again, which would include the labor-intensive processes of coordinating human resources efforts and paperwork, issuing new security badges, re-enrolling affected individuals in benefits programs, and calculating and processing the amount of any financial obligation that the Department may owe as a result of the reinstatement offers and the amounts, if any, that reinstated individuals request to have withheld for various work-related benefits," reads an affidavit (attached below) filed along with the stay request, which was filed Friday.

"... offering reinstatement to terminated probationary or trial period appointees will interfere with the effective functioning of the Department. On and after February 14, 2025, the Department has made meaningful changes to address the challenged terminations, including reassigning the duties performed by the terminated individuals, many of whom would have no duties to perform if they accepted reinstatement," it added.

The filing seeks a stay pending an appeal of the judge's ruling.

Roughly 1,000 National Park Service employees were fired on Valentine's Day, when the Trump administration fired thouands of workers across the federal government who hadn't finished their probationary periods. 

Federal Judge William Alsup on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction broadening a temporary restraining order against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and its acting director, Charles Ezell, finding the termination of probationary federal employees illegal because OPM had no authority to order it. While the judge said federal employees could be fired if agencies followed established procedures, in this case OPM provided a template for agencies to use as termination letters for the impacted staff, which suggested employees were being fired for poor performance.

"It’s a sad, sad day when our government would fire a good employee and say it’s based on performance when they know good and well that is based on a lie," the judge said.

Interior's appeal was supported by an affidavit from Mark D. Green, Interior's deputy assistant secretary for Human Capital, Learning, and Safety, who claimed that Interior did not rely on OPM language when it notified the terminated workers. Instead, Interior "independently developed language used in the termination notices that informed affected individuals of these personnel decisions," he said.

Terminated Park Service workers said the email they received, despite having received positive job reviews, stated that, "[T]he Department determined that you have failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications for continued employment because your subject matter knowledge, skills, and abilities do not meet the Department's current needs, and it is necessary and appropriate to terminate, during the probationary period, your appointment to the position of XXX at XXX Park within the National Park Service." 

In the appeal, Green stated that probationary workers "have extremely limited protections against termination," and that they essentially were working on "extended tryouts for finalized appointments. Supervisors evaluate probationary and trial period appointees to determine whether the individuals would be a good fit for long-term employment. While working throughout probationary or trial periods, individuals receive no assurance of final appointments and of becoming employees."

Also on Friday, six Democrats in the U.S. Senate introduced legislation calling for fired Park Service and U.S. Forest Service workers to be reinstated.

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Donate Popup

The National Parks Traveler keeps you informed on how politics impact national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.