FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Matt Dorsey
(202) 550-6987
February 13, 2025
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday evening, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) joined a coalition of labor unions in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s orders to gut the federal workforce. The complaint challenges the firing of probationary employees, the deferred resignation ploy to pressure employees to voluntarily resign, and large-scale reductions-in-force (RIFs) that violate federal laws.
“The Trump Administration’s executive actions to gut the federal workforce are not only illegal, but will also have damaging consequences for federal employees and the public services they provide,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “The courts must intervene and hold this Administration accountable for violating federal laws before it is too late. Federal workers are your friends and neighbors who have dedicated their careers to serving our country. We cannot let the President disrupt their lives and dismantle critical services relied upon by the American people.”
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, also alleges the Trump Administration is illegally undermining Congress’s authority by eliminating federal agencies and jobs that have been created and authorized by the Legislative Branch. The suit asks the court to declare that the mass firing of probationary and other employees and the deferred resignation program, collectively, are unlawful.
“If this Administration and Elon Musk truly wanted to make our government more efficient, they would have taken the time to understand that these actions will only lead to chaos and poor service for the American people,” continued Erwin. “Instead, they are illegally targeting federal agencies, their missions, and workers to pay for proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. These efforts hurt middle class Americans who chose to work in service to the public as federal employees. It is unpatriotic and unacceptable.”