Judge blocks firing of intelligence agency employees who worked on DEI
programs
[April 02, 2025]
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Virginia blocked the Trump
administration's move to fire more than a dozen intelligence agency
employees who worked on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga granted a preliminary injunction
Monday that prohibits the CIA and the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence from firing 19 workers who challenged their terminations.
|
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, left, joined by CIA
Director John Ratcliffe, testifies as the House Intelligence Committee
holds a hearing on worldwide threats, at the Capitol, in Washington,
Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) |
|
In a written decision published Tuesday, Trenga said the
government must allow the employees to seek reassignment or
appeal their termination as set forth in employment rules
governing their agencies.
Trenga, who was nominated by Republican President George W.
Bush, said the employees should remain on paid administrative
leave or be reinstated. He said he would review decisions to
terminate any employees to ensure they had been given a chance
to appeal or be reassigned under the order.
The employees were set to be terminated as part of the Trump
administration's effort to end DEI programs across the federal
government. The lawsuit comes amid a push by Trump and
billionaire ally Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency
to reduce personnel as part of their overhaul of the federal
government.
In their lawsuit, the employees argued that their assignments to
DEI programs were only temporary and that they also have held
other duties as intelligence officers. The employees are not
named in the lawsuit.
Intelligence agencies including the CIA and National Security
Agency already have offered voluntary resignations to some
employees. The CIA also has said it plans to lay off an unknown
number of recently hired employees. Still, America's
intelligence community hasn't seen some of the deep cuts made to
other agencies, like the U.S. Agency for International
Development or the Department of Education.
Musk visited CIA headquarters Monday at the invitation of
Director John Ratcliffe. The two discussed Musk's work to
reshape other agencies and lessons that could be applied to the
CIA, according to a statement from the agency.
It comes after Musk met with the leaders of the NSA last month.
A spokesperson for the CIA declined to comment on the legal
decision. A spokesperson for ODNI did not respond to a request
for comment.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|
