Judge finds mass firings of federal probationary workers were likely unlawful

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the US government to reverse mass firings that are part of Donald Trump and Elon Musk's plan to slash the government's workforce, media reported.

The ruling directs the Office of Personnel Management to withdraw directives sent to a number of federal agencies that resulted in thousands of staff being laid off.

"The Office of Personnel Management does not have any authority whatsoever under any statute in the history of the universe to hire and fire employees at another agency," US District Judge William Alsup said, according to The Washington Post.