ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Warren Hill dedicated over 20 years of his life to the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, an expansive area covering 4 million acres of stunning Alaskan landscapes, including coastlines, forests, lakes, and glaciers.
Last summer, he advanced to the position of maintenance supervisor, enhancing his previous responsibilities as a carpenter and mechanic. However, due to his new role, Hill was placed on probation during a time when the Trump administration began a wave of layoffs targeting numerous federal employees who had limited civil service protections.
“I’m infuriated,” he expressed. “I’m only a few years from retirement, and suddenly my benefits vanished without warning.”
Probationary employees tend to be relatively inexperienced, often having been on the job for less than a couple of years. Yet, this category can also include seasoned workers who find themselves on probation after transferring to a different department or accepting a new role. Many, like Hill, unfortunately fell victim to layoffs instigated by Elon Musk, the influential billionaire who has been providing advice to the Trump administration.
A significant portion of these individuals were simply unfortunate victims of circumstance, often receiving swift termination notices describing their positions as surplus or claiming inadequate performance, even when past evaluations had been positive.
“They don’t realize the extent of the damage they’re causing to lives and the economy in our community and countless others like it,” Hill remarked.
The exact number and experience levels of those laid off under probationary status aren’t entirely known. The layoffs affected numerous departments, encompassing Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, Education, Energy, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Park Service. Around 2,000 employees were dismissed from the U.S. Forest Service, with an additional 7,000 at risk of being let go from the Internal Revenue Service.
Unions representing federal workers filed a lawsuit to halt and reverse these layoffs, claiming the administration’s actions reflect an “indiscriminate discharge of thousands of dedicated public servants throughout the nation.”
In defense of its actions regarding probationary employees, the Trump administration has pointed to its broader initiative aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce.
“The probationary phase is merely a continuation of the employment application process, not an inherent right to permanent positioning,” remarked McLaurine Pinover, spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management.
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, dismissed worries about individuals being wrongfully accused of underperformance. “I have yet to meet a person laid off for inadequate performance who actually believes they were underperforming,” he stated during a press briefing.
Supporters of Trump have historically viewed civil service protections as barriers to achieving their agenda, and discussions have circulated about altering employee classifications to facilitate firings. Currently, administration officials are attempting to cut costs by encouraging voluntary exits or laying off those in probationary roles.
“A probationary period serves as a critical mechanism for agencies to evaluate performance and regulate workforce numbers,” declared a memo released on Inauguration Day, emphasizing that employees in this status can be terminated without the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Federal agencies were required to identify all probationary employees within a mere four-day timeframe.
Some affected individuals had transitioned to civilian positions after extensive military careers. Terri Wollenberg, for example, dedicated over 30 years to the U.S. Army and Navy before retiring and taking a position at the Cedar Rapids Veterans Center in Iowa, all while still classified as probationary. She performed various duties, including assisting clients and maintaining schedules.
Last Friday, however, Wollenberg was informed by her director that her employment was terminated. “I had no idea I was even on a list to be considered for layoffs,” she stated.
Wollenberg lamented the lack of replacements for her role during a press conference organized by Iowa Democrats. “We aren’t in this for financial gain; our goal is to serve the citizens of the United States,” she remarked.
Kayleigh McCarthy was another casualty of the recent layoffs, having been part of the U.S. Forest Service and dismissed over alleged performance issues. McCarthy had been hired in a seasonal capacity at the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Alaska before being promoted to a permanent position within the past year. Her responsibilities included monitoring bear behavior in the Tongass National Forest and educating visitors about wildlife protection.
Her employment came to an unexpected end when her supervisor relayed the news of her termination based on performance—despite her supervisor affirming that her work had always been outstanding.
“It states in the termination notice that it was due to performance, even though I consistently received positive evaluations. There doesn’t appear to be just cause for my dismissal,” McCarthy protested. She intends to challenge her termination but anticipates needing to leave Alaska to pursue job opportunities once she completes her graduate degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“I am frustrated, upset, and utterly heartbroken,” she shared.
