The federal work force is protected by civil servant laws. But nothing stops them from being reassigned to "work" at collapsable tables in emptied hangars at any of the 10 military bases ringing Washington DC. Just as a fancy, the work could consist of writing out sentences like "I will never work for the government again," each to a line of lined paper, with a quota of x thousand lines by the end of the day. Don't have to fire them. Just make their hired life a legal living hell.

Then announce staff reductions and the reconstitution of agency staff. Accept applications from the quarantined workers.

In other words, it would still be worth it to pay their salaries if they are pulled out of the circuit and made worthless as points of influence. But they couldn't actually sue the government for unlawful termination.

That's my bright idea. I'm not insisting that it is the best one. But thinking outside the box is definitely in order.