The Trump administration has announced a plan to restrict legal measures that allow dismissed employees to appeal their termination decisions. This plan, issued on Monday, aims to curb the rights of federal employees who have been fired, preventing them from taking their cases to an independent review board. Instead, these employees would have to appeal directly to the Office of Personnel Management, which is under Trump's administrative control.

The proposal reflects Trump's ongoing efforts to reduce the size and influence of the federal government, particularly by limiting the authority of independent oversight bodies. The Merit Systems Protection Board, which usually mediates disputes between federal employees and their employers, has seen a significant increase in new cases since Trump began his second term. Government records indicate that filings have surged by 266% from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year.

Scott Cooper, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, stated that these changes are essential for reinforcing the administration's approach to federal workforce management. By tightening the appeals process, the government aims to streamline operations and reduce potential legal challenges, potentially impacting thousands of federal employees who may seek redress after wrongful termination. The implications of this plan could fundamentally alter how federal employment disputes are addressed in the future, contributing to an increasingly consolidated governmental approach under the Trump administration.