Protect Democracy

A recent executive order from President Trump claims to “restore free speech.” But his administration is already silencing journalists, restricting press access, and threatening critics—just as he did in his first term. 📖 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUZxDa-f

Protect Democracy & Selendy Gay PLLC, today, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of the Government Accountability Project, and the National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association, challenging the Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle a federal civil service rooted in merit and integrity. The complaint, https://lnkd.in/e6Xawk5j, alleges that Executive Order 14171, which the President issued on January 20, 2025, would allow the administration to continue gutting and replacing the civil service and replace it with partisans. The plaintiffs argue that the actions of Defendants President Trump, OPM and its acting director, Charles Ezell, violate the Civil Service Reform Act and thereby the power of Congress to establish & regulate the civil service system in the public interest, free from corruption and political bias. “Schedule P/C would erode or eliminate merit-based civil service protections that ensure the basic operation of government is carried out by nonpartisan, professional public servants instead of political loyalists,” says Bill Shackelford, NARFE’s national president. “If this administration is permitted to ignore the Constitution & the CSRA, it would eliminate whistleblower protections and threaten our democracy in fundamental ways,” said Dana Gold, the Government Accountability Project's Senior Director of Advocacy & Strategy. “This president wants to bulldoze over the law—in this case, the Civil Service Reform Act and the APA,” says Ori Lev, a counsel with Protect Democracy. “This president is saying he doesn't have to respect Congress here. Our argument is: yes, you do.” Protect Democracy’s ongoing “Dear Civil Servant” series, which provides information and support for federal workers, is here: https://lnkd.in/gYe2frYy

For generations, dedicated civil servants have worked behind the scenes to keep Americans safe—preventing disasters, protecting public health, and upholding the rule of law. But when expertise is sidelined and institutions are gutted for political gain, the consequences are real—and dangerous.

Civil servants deserve to make life-changing decisions with accurate information and without coercion. Read the latest from our series — Dear Civil Servant — to separate fact from fiction. https://lnkd.in/egtT3e9E

If the Senate confirms Vought, last week’s OMB federal funding freeze will be only the beginning of the unchecked power grabs and chaos. Learn more at:

Advancing a policy agenda is democratic; entrenchment degrades democracy. Here’s how to understand what issues are characteristically dangerous autocratic actions versus politics-as-usual. https://lnkd.in/gd3u86f3

Tomorrow is the final Senate vote on whether to confirm Russ Vought as the head of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought has made clear he thinks the president can freeze whatever spending he wants without checks or limits—he’s wrong, but determined. https://lnkd.in/eD96XS4S

What is electoral competition? And why does it matter, right now? It’s our best chance to protect democracy. Read and subscribe to the Entrenchment Agenda. https://lnkd.in/gd3u86f3

🗣️ Federal researchers and care providers ⬇️ If your work was impacted by the Trump administration’s illegal funding freeze, add your voice to the growing movement to stand up for your work, your community, and the system of checks and balances.

NEW: We pulled together briefings for civil servants to provide them with news, resources, and analysis of the Trump Administration's attacks on the federal workforce including ways to plan for what happens next. Read our Dear Civil Servant series here: