Case: American Federation of Government Employees v. Trump

1:25-cv-00264 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Jan. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This lawsuit, filed on Jan. 29, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges Executive Order 14171, issued by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025, and entitled “Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce,” which creates a new, less-protected, category of civil service.   The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) su…

This lawsuit, filed on Jan. 29, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges Executive Order 14171, issued by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025, and entitled “Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce,” which creates a new, less-protected, category of civil service.  

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) sued the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 553, and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The plaintiffs sought injunctive relief to halt enforcement of Executive Order 14085, declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act. 

The Executive Order was issued on January 20, 2025; it reinstates and modifies the first Trump Administration's Executive Order 13957, which aimed to reclassify certain career federal employees into an at-will employment category. The new Executive Order directs OPM to rescind prior regulations that reinforced merit-based employment, allowing agencies to reclassify employees without notice and comment rulemaking.  The complaint alleged that this unlawfully strips federal employees of civil service protections without due process, and violates federal statutes governing civil service protections, particularly 5 U.S.C. § 3302, which limits the president’s power to remove competitive service employees from their protected status. The plaintiffs also contended that the EO violated the APA by bypassing required rulemaking procedures and deprived federal employees of vested rights without procedural safeguards.

The plaintiffs in this case asserted that it was related to a case filed several days before, NTEU v. Trump; the NTEU case was assigned to Judge Jia Cobb, and so was this one. The case is ongoing.  

Summary Authors

Karma Karira (2/11/2025)

Related Cases

National Treasury Employees Union v. Trump, District of District of Columbia (2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69588089/parties/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-trump/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Blumin, Matthew Stark (District of Columbia)

Carter, Abigail V. (District of Columbia)

Goldstein, Elena (District of Columbia)

Paterson, Teague (District of Columbia)

Rowell, James Alexander (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-00264

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69588089/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-trump/

Last updated March 17, 2025, 10:40 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link

Notice of Error- New Case

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER
1

COMPLAINT against CHARLES EZELL, DONALD J. TRUMP, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11440861) filed by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons for Donald J. Trump, # 3 Summons for Charles Ezell, # 4 Summons for the United States Office of Personnel Management, # 5 Summons for James R. McHenry III, # 6 Summons for Edward R. Martin Jr)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons for Donald J. Trump

View on RECAP

3 Summons for Charles Ezell

View on PACER

4 Summons for the United States Office of Personnel Management

View on PACER

5 Summons for James R. McHenry III

View on PACER

6 Summons for Edward R. Martin Jr

View on PACER

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-170. (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

Clearinghouse
3

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR The following error(s) need correction: Missing Related Case form. Please use the Notice of Designation of Related Cases (CO 932) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms and filing using the event Notice of Related Case. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zmtm)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER

ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR The following error(s) need correction: Missing Related Case form. Please use the Notice of Designation of Related Cases (CO 932) form at www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms and filing using the event Notice of Related Case. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zmtm) Modified on 1/29/2025 (zmtm).

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER
4

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Jia M. Cobb. (zmtm)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER
5

SUMMONS(5) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by James Alexander Rowell on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Rowell, James) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Mark Samburg on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Samburg, Mark) (Main Document 7 replaced on 1/30/2025) (zdp). (Entered: 01/30/2025)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER
8

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Elena Goldstein, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11444118. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Declaration)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 01/30/2025)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice: Attorney Elena Goldstein is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on January 30, 2025. (lcjmc3)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER
9

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 1/31/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/1/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
10

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 02/10/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
11

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DONALD J. TRUMP served on 2/11/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
12

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. CHARLES EZELL served on 2/4/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
13

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT served on 2/4/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

PACER
14

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-00347. (Carter, Abigail) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

RECAP
15

NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Stark Blumin on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Blumin, Matthew) (Main Document 15 replaced on 2/18/2025) (zdp). (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

PACER
16

NOTICE of Appearance by Teague Paterson on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Paterson, Teague) (Main Document 16 replaced on 2/20/2025) (zdp). (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

PACER
17

NOTICE of Appearance by Elena Goldstein on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Goldstein, Elena) (Main Document 17 replaced on 2/20/2025) (zdp). (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

PACER

NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 16 NOTICE of Appearance by Teague Paterson on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Paterson, Teague).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 2/25/2025. (zhcn)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

PACER

RESOLVED.....NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 15 NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Stark Blumin on behalf of AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO (Blumin, Matthew) (Main Document 15 replaced on 2/18/2025) (zdp)..Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 2/25/2025. (zhcn) Modified on 2/20/2025 (zhcn).

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

PACER

Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

PACER
18

LEAVE TO FILE DENIED- Janice Wolk Grenadier, Letter This document is unavailable as the Court denied its filing. Pro Se party has been notified by first class mail. "Leave to file DENIED. This motion does not comply with Local Civil Rule 7 (m).". Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on 2/24/2025. (zdp) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Labor Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 800,000+ workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States (District of Columbia, - United States (national) -), Federal

United States (District of Columbia, - United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Civil Service