More: Gerstein and Cheney describe Alsup's order as "one of the most far-reaching rejections of the Trump administration's effort to slash the bureaucracy and is almost certain to be appealed."

"It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie," mused Alsup from the bench before issuing the order.

He also laid into the Department of Justice, telling an attorney representing it that "You will not bring the people in here to be cross-examined. You're afraid to do so because you know cross examination would reveal the truth."

"I tend to doubt that you're telling me the truth. ... I'm tired of seeing you stonewall on trying to get at the truth," he added.