Many of Trump’s attempts to reshape the federal government have faced legal challenges, often brought by employee unions or Democrat-led states that argue such decisions should fall under Congressional authority.
Some of these efforts have been met with temporary restraining orders or legal setbacks, while others have achieved short-term victories. Nearly all these cases are still making their way through the federal court system.
Additionally, some federal employees have filed complaints directly with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), a panel tasked with enforcing worker rights within the government. Last week, a judge blocked Trump’s efforts to dismiss the chair of the MSPB.
On Wednesday, one of the board’s rulings took effect, compelling the U.S. Department of Agriculture—which oversees the Forest Service—to temporarily reinstate many of its fired probationary workers.
The ongoing legal battles have created confusion and uncertainty about the state of the federal workforce, particularly as many fire crews prepare for the warm-weather months when wildfires tend to intensify.
“Mentally, it’s pretty stressful,” said a helitack squad leader with the Department of the Interior and about 10 years of experience. Helitack crews are transported to fires by helicopter.
“There are so many rumors going around. I’ve tried to limit my intake of information by getting off social media.”
The helitack leader believes that, regardless of the legal challenges and staffing cuts, the government’s preparations for fire season will be delayed.
“Even if they could push a button and give the green light for all these jobs, the start date is still going to be pushed back,” he explained. “And if someone joins a crew late, that can definitely impact the preparedness of a crew and their overall ability to safely fight fires.”
A wildland firefighter who was recently preparing to join an engine crew with a federal agency in Southern California said she was told her onboarding would be delayed while the effects of the federal changes were being resolved. She is unsure if she will be able to keep her job.
She has five years of experience with elite hotshot crews but was classified as a probationary worker after accepting a position at a different federal agency to be closer to a family member experiencing health issues.
“This is my entire life,” she said in a message to Al Jazeera. “If this is taken away from me for no reason, I’ll have nothing.”
The uncertainty surrounding hiring decisions has also created a sense of whiplash, where workers may receive reassuring news one day, only to see it reversed shortly after.
The hotshot crew member said that in late February, she was informed that a court had overturned some of the firings and that she would likely be able to proceed with her new firefighting position.
However, just over a week later, she received a phone call notifying her that she had been fired during her probationary period.
“I’ve broken my body to get here. I’ve almost died multiple times doing this job for absolutely no money,” she said. “And now my reward is getting fired for no reason.”
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