Federal Unions Sue Trump to Prevent Politicization of Civil Service
The Facts -
- AFGE and AFSCME filed suit against Trump for politicizing civil service.
- The lawsuit claims Trump's actions exceed his authority and violate regulations.
- Union leaders argue the move threatens federal workforce integrity and non-partisanship.
Unions Challenge Executive Orders Affecting Civil Service
WASHINGTON – In a legal maneuver against the Trump administration, two prominent unions, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), have initiated a lawsuit. Represented by Democracy Forward and law firm Bredhoff and Kaiser PLLC, these unions argue that recent executive orders threaten the apolitical nature of the civil service.
The lawsuit highlights allegations that President Trump has overstepped his executive powers by attempting to circumvent established regulations safeguarding civil servant rights. Furthermore, the lawsuit implicates the Office of Personnel Management, accusing it of not complying with the Administrative Procedure Act during attempts to modify these protections.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley stated, “AFGE is filing suit with our partner union today to protect the integrity of the American people’s government.” He emphasized that their aim is to prevent the replacement of dedicated civil servants with politically appointed individuals loyal to the president rather than to the law or Constitution.
AFSCME President Lee Saunders expressed similar concerns, labeling Schedule F as a move to "politicize the federal workforce" by swapping competent civil servants for "political cronies." He stressed the union's commitment to a non-partisan civil service and warned of the potential repercussions for communities if these changes were allowed to proceed.
Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman remarked, "In just the nine days since Trump took office, his administration has repeatedly demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law in service of its political objectives." He continued, stating the organization's commitment to legally challenge any actions perceived to harm people and communities.
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The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) represents a significant portion of federal employees, numbering 800,000, across various government structures, including the District of Columbia.
Democracy Forward, a legal organization, works towards advancing democracy through various channels, including litigation and public education. More details can be found at www.democracyforward.org.
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