Proposal Would Shift Disputes Away From Independent Oversight
The Trump administration is proposing changes that would limit how fired federal employees challenge their dismissals. A plan released Monday outlines efforts to remove their ability to appeal to an independent review board and instead direct complaints to a federal office overseen by the president.
Under the proposal, the Office of Personal Management would take over responsibility for handling appeals from terminated workers. Currently, employees can bring their cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent body that reviews disputes between federal staff and government agencies. If the change moves forward, dismissed workers would need to file complaints with OPM, whose director reports directly to President Donald Trump.
Part of Broader Government Downsizing
The plan aligns with Trump’s wider push to reduce the size of the federal workforce during his second term. Mass layoffs have been a key focus of his administration. At the same time, critics argue that the administration has weakened safeguards meant to protect civil servants. For example, Trump has removed officials from agencies that enforce workplace protections, which opponents say limits accountability.
The Merit Systems Protection Board has handled a sharp rise in cases since Trump returned to office. Government data show the board’s caseload increased by 266 percent between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, compared with the same period a year earlier. That surge reflects the growing number of disputes tied to job cuts and employment actions.
Union Leaders Raise Concerns
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, warned that shifting appeals to OPM would weaken independent oversight. He said the move could allow the administration to dismiss large numbers of workers without meaningful review from a neutral body.
In 2025, the federal government reduced its workforce by 317,000 employees, according to OPM Director Scott Kupor. He stated that only a small portion were fired, while most accepted buyouts or left voluntarily. However, those figures have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, OPM spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover defended the proposal. She said the agency would handle complaints fairly and work to correct mistakes quickly. She also noted that federal agencies should have the ability to reorganize in a responsible and balanced way.
Debate Over Oversight and Fairness
Supporters of the change argue it could streamline the appeals process and give agencies more flexibility. Critics, however, believe it risks concentrating too much authority within the executive branch. As the proposal advances, lawmakers, unions, and policy experts are likely to debate whether the shift protects efficiency or undermines worker rights.
The outcome could reshape how federal employees defend themselves against termination and how much independence remains in reviewing those cases.
