Mass Firings of Probationary Federal Employees Under the Trump Administration

The Trump administration’s recent initiative to terminate probationary federal employees has led to significant job losses across the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Affected positions include loan analysts in the Farm Service Agency (FSA), agricultural scientists, and approximately 1,200 staff members from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as reported by various sources.

While the exact number of terminated employees remains unclear, it is noted that there are over 200,000 federal workers nationwide currently on probationary status. This status typically encompasses individuals in their first year of federal employment, with some extending into their second year.

According to multiple sources, USDA is not only terminating probationary employees but is also demoting those who recently attained senior executive service status, a designation reserved for high-performing managers just below presidentially appointed positions. Documents reviewed by Agri-Pulse reveal that termination notices often cited performance issues, despite many employees reporting satisfactory performance reviews or the absence of formal evaluations altogether.

A spokesperson for Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that Rollins “fully supports President Trump’s directive to optimize government operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen USDA’s ability to better serve American farmers, ranchers, loggers, and the agriculture community.” The spokesperson emphasized a commitment to managing taxpayer dollars effectively, asserting that the decision to release individuals during their probationary period aligns with this responsibility.

In a press release issued late Friday, USDA announced its “aggressive plan” to streamline its workforce by eliminating unnecessary positions, encouraging employees to return to the office, and relocating some workforce out of the National Capital region to foster growth in rural communities. The department also highlighted its decision to cancel various contracts, including media subscriptions, and to discontinue diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs.

Zach Ducheneaux, who served as the FSA administrator during the Biden administration, expressed concern that the firing of loan officers would complicate farmers’ access to USDA loans. He remarked, “Firing local FSA loan officers is not only a waste of taxpayer investment in their training, producers will lose the opportunity to buy a farm or ranch, if not lose their existing farm or ranch. They will not be able to get their operating money in a timely fashion. That’s not hyperbole. It is actual, literal fact.”

As per congressional sources, approximately 40% of USDA loan officers are eligible for retirement. Over the past two years, Congress has allocated $30 million to FSA for hiring personnel to replace those nearing retirement age. A congressional source noted the importance of timely staffing, stating, “FSA has to do this because it is a two-year training cycle for loan officers before they are fully operational. All this talent is now gone.”

One terminated Agricultural Research Service employee, speaking anonymously with Agri-Pulse, shared that they received an email late Thursday night notifying them of their termination due to performance issues. Having been employed for less than a year, this individual noted they had never undergone a formal performance review.

The former employee recounted the experience: “What I think is just totally unfair is, you know, we were given the ‘fork in the road’ email, and you could just type your resignation along with your name and send it back.” This email offered employees full pay until September 30 in exchange for immediate resignation. The former employee continued, expressing disappointment, “Now, I don’t think we’re going to be getting anything. We’re supposed to get paid today, and I still haven’t seen the paycheck for normal services rendered.”

According to sources close to the agency, around 1,200 NRCS employees are believed to have been terminated. This mass firing presents a considerable setback for NRCS, which has been working for years to bolster its workforce to assist producers in implementing conservation practices. Many of the affected employees were based in county offices, serving as the first point of contact for farmers applying for federal programs.

In light of these developments, one NRCS employee remarked, “I think this is a lot of steps backwards in terms of the ability to serve those producers.” The termination notices included language indicating that the agency concluded, based on performance, that further employment would not be in the public interest.

Another terminated NRCS employee shared their experience with Agri-Pulse, stating that despite receiving two spot performance awards and being recently promoted from GS-9 to GS-11 due to their positive performance, they were still terminated.

Numerous former USDA employees have taken to social media to share their experiences, with reports emerging from various divisions, including the USDA National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility, National Laboratory of Agriculture and the Environment, U.S. Forest Service, and Rural Development agency.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has condemned the mass firings, with National President Everett Kelley asserting, “Despite OPM’s guidance earlier this week advising agencies not to engage in sweeping terminations, the administration has plowed forward.” Kelley criticized the lack of notice and due process, deeming it a violation of fairness and merit principles governing federal employment.

In addition to the terminated employees, approximately 75,000 federal workers accepted the Trump administration’s offer to leave their jobs while receiving pay through September. USDA has not disclosed how many employees within the department accepted this offer.

According to the Partnership for Public Service, a staggering 38% of USDA employees were eligible for retirement by the end of 2023, with 63% of senior executive service employees also eligible for retirement.

One terminated employee from USDA-NRCS expressed their situation poignantly on LinkedIn, stating, “What a Valentine’s Day letter,” as they began the search for new employment opportunities.

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