Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s attempt to fire intelligence officers in DEI programs

04/08/2025 / By Laura Harris

A U.S. federal judge temporarily halted the firing of 19 intelligence officers working on DEI programs, ruling they must be allowed to appeal or seek reassignment.
The officers sued the CIA and ODNI after being placed on administrative leave, arguing their DEI roles were temporary and their terminations violated employment rules and constitutional rights.
Judge Anthony Trenga ordered the employees to remain on paid leave or be reinstated, stating they faced termination without misconduct or poor performance. The injunction may also protect 39 additional employees.
Trenga initially sided with the government in February, citing intelligence leaders’ broad authority to terminate employees under national security exemptions.
The judge emphasized that future firings must follow proper procedures and left room for further legal challenges if employees face retaliation or reputational harm.

A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the firing of 19 intelligence officers who worked on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, ruling that the workers must be given a chance to appeal or seek reassignment.

In February, a group of career intelligence officers assigned to DEI programs sued the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) after being placed on administrative leave. (Related: Education Department places 55 employees on paid leave as part of Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives.)

The employees, whose names were not disclosed in the lawsuit, argued that their DEI assignments were temporary and that they also performed other duties as intelligence officers. They argued that their dismissals violated agency employment rules and their constitutional rights, as they were being terminated without evidence of misconduct or poor performance.

As a response, U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia, an appointee of former President George Bush, granted a preliminary injunction on March 31, barring the CIA and the ODNI from terminating 19 employees who sued over their dismissals.

In a written decision published last week, Trenga ordered that the workers remain on paid administrative leave or be reinstated while the case proceeds.

“The plaintiffs face termination without any suggestion of wrongdoing or poor performance,” Trenga ruled. He ordered that the government must allow the employees to seek reassignment or appeal their dismissals in accordance with federal employment regulations. He also requires the government to follow established termination procedures and he will review any future dismissal decisions to ensure compliance.

Additionally, the injunction is expected to extend to an additional 39 CIA and ODNI personnel who did not join the lawsuit but also face termination.

Trenga initially denies bid to block firing of intelligence officers in DEI programs

The ruling contradicts with Trenga’s initial decision in February, wherein he denied bid to block firings of intelligence officers in DEI programs. Trenga sided with the government at the time, citing the broad authority of intelligence leaders, including Ratcliffe, to terminate employees under national interest exemptions.

“The regulations clearly state that there is no property interest in the employment they have. The ability of the director to terminate without respect to any other procedures is embedded in those regulations.”

While denying a temporary restraining order, Trenga left open the possibility of future legal challenges if the workers are barred from reapplying for other roles or publicly smeared as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign. “The court is certainly available for future consideration of this case as the facts unfold,” he said.

The judge extended the deadline for the employees to accept a deferred resignation offer from the administration, but all this changed in the recent ruling.

Visit BigGovernment.news for more stories about the termination of DEI policies in the federal government under Trump.

Kevin McGary from Every Black Life Matters tells Mike Adams that woke DEI policies are destroying America. Watch this video.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.