The Trump administration dismissed thousands of federal workers over a holiday weekend, with managers scrambling to meet a Tuesday deadline for terminations. The move, dubbed the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” by employees in online forums, targeted probationary hires—including veterans and workers with disabilities—who have fewer job protections, The Washington Post reported.
Who Got Hit? 🎯
The firings swept up archaeologists, cancer researchers, and even “mission-critical” staff, despite federal guidelines. Workers claimed the decisions contradicted official directives, with union leaders vowing legal challenges. “These are real people with families and mortgages,” one anonymous employee texted colleagues.
Musk-Inspired 'Lean Government' Vision? 💡
Critics linked the purge to President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s shared push for a smaller, tech-influenced bureaucracy. Over a dozen lawsuits now challenge Trump’s executive authority, while an administrative complaint covers workers at nine agencies. Legal experts say the battle could redefine federal employment rights.
