The decision could apply more broadly to thousands of other government employees who were fired because they were on probationary status and relatively new in their positions.

All agencies must produce plans for “eliminating positions that are not required” by March 13, reads a missive from OMB director Russell Vought.

The independent federal agency Merit Systems Protection Board Tuesday stayed the firing of six federal workers for 45 days, ruling they must get their jobs back at least through April 10.

President Donald Trump's administration says federal agencies should begin planning to eliminate employee positions in what's known as "a reduction in force."