Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has issued a series of unlawful executive orders and taken other unlawful actions seeking to shut down congressionally mandated agencies, fire and displace federal workers, outlaw their unions, and gut merit systems protections. In response, AFGE and its allies have filed more than a dozen federal lawsuits challenging these actions. AFGE and its partners have secured multiple preliminary injunctions, reversing actions and stopping plans that would harm federal employees. While some of AFGE's injunctions have been paused by higher courts, AFGE's successes have resulted in potentially hundreds of thousands of jobs being saved.
AFGE's efforts, and those of its partners and other organizations fighting for federal employees, have only been possible because of our members, leaders, and activists. Members not only help fund and fuel the litigation but provide essential information and stories that show the courts and the American people how egregious and unlawful this administration's actions have been. Together, AFGE members have been fighting, and will continue to fight, for all federal employees' rights and for all Americans.
Stay connected: Follow these cases closely and sign up for AFGE action alerts for updates.
National Council of Prison Locals v. Bureau of Prisons
D. Conn. | 3:25-cv-01907 | AFGE’s National Council of Prison Locals (CPL-33) lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
The National Council of Prison Locals and AFGE Local 1661 seek to restore the contract covering about 30,000 correctional officers and prison staff. AFGE challenges the Bureau’s cancellation of the agreement without advance notice. A September 2026 injunction restored the contract.
STATUS AS OF SEP 29, 2026
We won a preliminary injunction. On September 29, 2026, Judge Vernon D. Oliver set aside the Bureau's termination of the contract and ordered it reinstated immediately for the rest of its term. He found the Bureau's stated reason was pretextual and that the termination likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Department of Veterans Affairs
D.R.I. | 1:25-cv-00583 | AFGE’s NVAC lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE Local 2305 and the National VA Council challenge the cancellation of the national contract covering more than 320,000 VA employees. We argue the VA retaliated against the union and failed to justify its decision. A March 2026 injunction restored the contract, and the court has since blocked two VA attempts to terminate it again.
STATUS AS OF OCT 2, 2026
On October 2, 2026, the First Circuit stayed the district court's second enforcement order while the VA's appeal proceeds. The VA's opening brief is due October 26, 2026.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | 1st Cir. No. 26-1904 | 1st Cir. No. 26-1321
AFGE v. Kupor
D. Mass. | 1:25-cv-13305 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE, AFSCME, and NAGE challenge OPM’s hiring essay asking applicants to identify a Trump executive order and explain how they would advance it. The unions argue the question imposes a political test for public service. In September 2026 the court blocked the question for federal jobs nationwide.
STATUS AS OF SEP 25, 2026
The loyalty question is blocked. On September 11, 2026, Judge O'Toole ruled the essay question likely violates the First Amendment and paused it for federal jobs nationwide. OPM has replaced the question and told agencies not to consider answers to the old one.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Trump
N.D. Cal. | 3:25-cv-03070 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE and five other unions challenge the executive order excluding employees at more than 40 departments and agencies from federal collective bargaining protections. The unions argue the order retaliates against them for speaking out. In June 2025 the court blocked the order, finding serious questions that it retaliated against the unions for their speech. The Ninth Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction, and the case is back before Judge Donato.
STATUS AS OF SEP 27, 2026
Judge Donato has yet to rule on several of the unions' other claims. The Ninth Circuit rejected the government's argument that the case belongs before the FLRA, and its ruling rested on the early record, leaving room to prove retaliation. The unions are pressing for documents the government refuses to produce. A status conference is set for November 12.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Department of Agriculture
N.D. Cal. | 3:26-cv-09976 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE led a coalition of other federal unions, nonprofits, and local governments challenging USDA's reorganization, which moves Washington, D.C.-area staff to regional hubs and closes or shrinks offices, including relocating the Forest Service headquarters. The coalition argues the current appropriations law bars the reorganization without congressional approval and that it violates the Administrative Procedure Act. A court order has paused relocation deadlines and protects employees who decline to move.
STATUS AS OF OCT 2, 2026
Judge Chhabria heard the request for a preliminary injunction on September 29 and has not yet ruled. On October 2 he extended the pause on relocation deadlines through October 13 and barred removal or discipline of employees who decline to move.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. OPM
N.D. Cal. | 3:26-cv-08835 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE is leading a case with AFSCME, NFFE, and IFPTE challenging two OPM rules. The Suitability Rule lets OPM declare current employees unsuitable, order their removal, and hear their appeals in place of the MSPB; the second rule imposes forced-distribution performance ratings. The unions argue both rules exceed OPM's authority and conflict with the Civil Service Reform Act.
STATUS AS OF AUG 27, 2026
Early stage before Judge Chhabria. An initial case management conference is set for December 4, 2026.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Trump
N.D. Cal. | 3:25-cv-03698 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE led a coalition of unions, cities, and nonprofits challenging agency reorganization and layoff plans ordered by the President. The case led to the pause and rescission of thousands of RIFs in May 2025, and although the Supreme Court later stayed the injunction, most of those RIFs were never carried out. It also led to the reinstatement of FEMA employees and halted a plan to dismantle FEMA.
STATUS AS OF SEP 30, 2026
Judge Illston ruled on September 11, 2026 that the plan to cut FEMA's staff roughly in half was unlawful, and sanctioned the government because officials deleted Signal messages about the cuts. Settlement talks are underway, and the parties must report on a remedy by October 9.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. OMB
N.D. Cal. | 3:25-cv-08302 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE led a coalition of unions challenging layoffs imposed during the government shutdown that began in October 2025. The coalition argued a funding lapse did not authorize the firings and that agencies bypassed required layoff procedures. The two injunctions granted in this case blocked RIFs at many agencies, saving thousands of jobs, and the case settled in September 2026.
STATUS AS OF SEP 28, 2026
Settled. Under the September 23, 2026 agreement, agencies must remove language from their shutdown plans that allows layoffs during a funding lapse, and cannot restore it without 30 days' notice to the unions. The case is on hold and will be dismissed by year-end unless the government moves to bring shutdown layoffs back.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Noem
W.D. Wash. | 2:25-cv-00451 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE challenges DHS’s cancellation of the 2024 collective bargaining agreement covering about 47,000 TSA officers. The case concerns retaliation against the union and the loss of contract protections, including grievances and shift bidding. A June 2025 injunction restored the contract. When DHS issued a second order to end it, the court ruled in January 2026 that the injunction blocks that attempt as well.
STATUS AS OF SEP 28, 2026
The 2024 contract remains in force under a court injunction. On September 25, 2026, the government appealed Judge Whitehead's July order keeping the injunction in place. Its opening brief in the Ninth Circuit is due October 26.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | 9th Cir. No. 26-6312
Widakuswara v. Lake
D.D.C. | 1:25-cv-01015 | AFGE co-plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFSCME and AFGE led a coalition of journalists, unions, and press freedom groups challenging the dismantling of Voice of America, including mass administrative leave, layoffs, and the suspension of broadcasts. The case has prevented USAGM from dismantling Voice of America and blocked its planned layoffs.
STATUS AS OF SEP 24, 2026
The trial judge has ordered the agency to disclose by October 12 the authority it is now operating under, with briefing this fall on whether the case is moot.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | Originally filed S.D.N.Y. 1:25-cv-02390, transferred | D.C. Cir. No. 25-5144 | D.C. Cir. No. 26-5087
AFGE v. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
D.D.C. | 1:26-cv-01676 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE led a group of unions challenging FMCS’s refusal to provide arbitrator lists for certain agency grievances without management’s consent. The case also challenges the rule formalizing the agency’s screening of arbitration requests.
STATUS AS OF SEP 18, 2026
Early stage before Judge Moss. The agency answered the expanded complaint on September 18, 2026, and its index of the records behind the new arbitration rule was due October 2.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. OPM
N.D. Cal. | 3:25-cv-01780 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE and AFSCME led a group challenging OPM’s role in the mass firing of probationary employees and the form letters blaming their performance. The case addresses OPM’s authority, reinstatement, and correction of employees’ personnel records. The court ordered agencies to correct affected employees' personnel records.
STATUS AS OF AUG 28, 2026
AFGE won a permanent judgment and corrective orders in September 2025. The government appealed. The Ninth Circuit heard argument on August 28, 2026, and has not ruled yet.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | 9th Cir. No. 25-5875
AFGE v. Federal Labor Relations Authority
D. Mass. | 1:26-cv-11747 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE led a group of eight unions challenging the FLRA rule moving union election and bargaining-unit decisions from career regional directors to political appointees. The unions argue the agency skipped public comment and failed to justify the change. The court struck down the rule in July 2026.
STATUS AS OF AUG 26, 2026
The rule is vacated and final judgment entered. The agency's requests to pause and reconsider are fully briefed and awaiting a decision.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFGE v. Ezell
D. Mass. | 1:25-cv-10276 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE, AFSCME, and NAGE challenge the government-wide offer to resign while receiving pay through September 2025. The unions argue the offer promised funding Congress had not approved and forced employees to decide without reliable information.
STATUS AS OF JUL 28, 2026
Dismissed with prejudice in September 2025 on jurisdiction and standing. Argued before the First Circuit on July 28, 2026 with a decision pending.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | 1st Cir. No. 25-1959
AFGE Local 1410 v. Department of Defense
D. Md. | 1:26-cv-02653 | AFGE DoD affiliates lead plaintiffs
CASE IN BRIEF
Twenty-four AFGE and NFFE locals and councils challenge a Pentagon directive to cancel union contracts on 24 hours’ notice. The unions argue the directive lacks a reasoned explanation and extends beyond the President Trump’s executive order.
STATUS AS OF JUL 27, 2026
The unions' request to block the terminations has been pending before Judge Gallagher since July 20, 2026.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
AFSCME & AFGE v. Trump
D.D.C. | 1:25-cv-03306 | AFGE co-plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFSCME, AFGE, and their Voice of America locals challenge the executive order excluding USAGM employees from federal labor law and the resulting cancellation of their contracts. AFGE and AFSCME argue the action retaliated against the unions. An injunction restored the unions' contracts.
STATUS AS OF APR 28, 2026
The injunction is in force and the contracts are back. The government's appeal is on hold until the D.C. Circuit decides three related bargaining cases, which were still pending in late September 2026.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | D.C. Cir. No. 26-5007
AFGE & AFSA v. Trump
D.D.C. | 1:25-cv-00352 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE, the American Foreign Service Association, and Oxfam challenge the dismantling of USAID, including mass administrative leave and the rapid return of overseas staff. The coalition argues the president cannot close an agency Congress created and funded.
STATUS AS OF APR 23, 2026
Dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in July 2025. The D.C. Circuit heard the appeal on April 23, 2026 and had not ruled as of October 2.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket | D.C. Cir. No. 25-5290
AFGE v. Department of Education
D.D.C. | 1:25-cv-03553 | AFGE lead plaintiff
CASE IN BRIEF
AFGE challenges the Department of Education’s insertion of partisan shutdown messages into employees’ automatic email replies. The union argues the agency compelled career employees to carry a political message in violation of the First Amendment. The court permanently barred the practice.
STATUS AS OF NOV 13, 2025
Won. AFGE secured final judgment and a permanent injunction on November 7, 2025, and the case closed six days later.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sources: CourtListener docket
Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has issued a series of unlawful executive orders, and taken several unlawful actions, seeking to shut down congressionally mandated agencies, fire and displace federal workers, outlaw their unions, and gut merit systems protections.
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Nearly 600 AFGE leaders from across the country gathered recently to chart the course of our union's future during the 2026 AFGE Leadership Summit.
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A federal judge last week ordered the Bureau of Prisons to immediately reinstate the union contract covering about 30,000 correctional officers and staff AFGE represents nationwide.
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