Filed Date: Aug. 13, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case challenged the second Trump Administration’s Executive Order 14251, “Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs” (“Executive Order”), which purports to revoke the collective bargaining rights of the Plant Protection and Quarantine (“PPQ”) organizational unit in the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the basis that their primary function constitutes national security work. On August 13, 2025, the National Association of Agriculture Employees (“NAAE”), a labor union that represents approximately 1,500 PPQ employees filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Trump, tThe Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Personnel Management. The case was assigned to District Judge Paul L. Friedman.
The Executive Order states that it is implementing the President’s authority under 5 U.S.C. § 7103(b), to terminate the collective bargaining rights of federal employees whose “‘primary function’ is ostensibly national security, allegedly because the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute ‘cannot be applied to these agencies and agency subdivisions in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.’”
Represented by O’Donoghue & O’Donoghue LLP, a union-side law firm, NAAE alleged that the Executive Order’s removal of recognition and collective bargaining rights for PPQ employees violated legal and constitutional protections for civil service employees who do not, in fact, perform “national security” functions. NAAE alleged that enforcement of the Executive Order would violate Equal Protection rights; and First Amendment rights because it is retaliatory against union activity; and that it would be an ultra vires action because it exceeds the authority granted in 5 U.S.C. § 7103(b). NAAE sought declaratory and injunctive relief.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Madena Mustafa (9/29/2025)
National Weather Service Employees Organization v. Trump, District of District of Columbia (2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71101307/parties/national-association-of-agriculture-employees-v-trump/
Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)
Bolek, Keith R. (District of Columbia)
Hirn, Richard J (District of Columbia)
Pullium, April H. (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71101307/national-association-of-agriculture-employees-v-trump/
Last updated Feb. 27, 2026, 12:54 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 13, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A labor union that represents employees of the Plant Protection and Quarantine organizational unit in U.S. Department of Agriculture
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
President Trump (District of Columbia), Federal
U.S. Department of Agriculture (District of Columbia), Federal
Office of Personnel Management (District of Columbia), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-02657
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: