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Story summary
- U.S. President Donald Trump has overseen about 59,000 federal job eliminations since taking office, including 22,000 in May.
- The administration implemented a hiring freeze and a deferred resignation program.
- Many employees are on paid leave amid legal challenges to mass layoffs.
- A federal judge ruled that some firings were likely illegal and that reinstatements were later overturned.
- Critics say Trump changes undermine merit-based federal hiring by privileging loyalty over qualifications.
