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AGU joined a coalition of plaintiffs in March to defend the federal scientific workforce against these actions. The judge called the government’s justifications “disingenuous,” and the records they produced were, at times, “a fabrication” and “a sham” intended to frustrate judicial review.

In addition to barring OPM from taking such actions again, the federal agencies involved are also directed to update all personnel records. The court recognized that it is too late to insist on rehiring these employees but strove to highlight the illegality of the actions and stop ongoing harm.

“We applaud the judge’s decision and echo his striking rebuke against the clear illegality of OPM’s actions,” said Janice R. Lachance, CEO of AGU. “This outcome shows that the destruction of the scientific workforce that is so vital to our health, safety, and national security is not inevitable.”