Trump races to fix a big mistake: DOGE fired too many people

A security guard patrols the grounds of the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 18, 2025. (Wesley Lapointe/For The Washington Post) By Hannah Natanson , Adam Taylor , Meryl Kornfield , Rachel Siegel and Scott Dance

Early this spring, the Food and Drug Administration fired nearly 50 workers in the Office of Regulatory Policy — only to turn around and order them back to the office with one day’s notice.

After dismissing thousands of probationary employees for fabricated “performance” issues, the IRS reversed course and told them to show up to work in late May.