Federal Lawsuits & Mass Firings—How to Protect Your Career

Courtrooms are the new frontlines.

Lawsuits are emerging daily to challenge mass removals, politicized terminations, and efforts to sidestep established civil service protections.

What do these federal lawsuits mean for you?

We break down critical lawsuits, their impact on your job security, and how to protect yourself.

Lawsuits that can Impact You (this is just a snapshot!)

Wilcox v. Trump (NLRB)

• Issue: Whether politically motivated firings of independent board members violate statutory “for-cause” removal protections
• Implication: Could determine whether quasi-independent roles remain shielded from political pressure
• Current status: Chair Wilcox successfully sued and was reinstated.  The Administration appealed. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Friday granted the Trump administration’s request to lift lower-court rulings that required it to reinstate two wrongfully dismissed members of independent federal agencies.

Harris v. Trump (MSPB)

• Issue: Removal of a board member of the Merit Systems Protection Board
• Implication: MSPB’s future independence and enforcement power are at stake
• Current status: Chair Harris successfully sued and was reinstated.  The Administration appealed. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Friday granted the Trump administration’s request to lift lower-court rulings that required it to reinstate two wrongfully dismissed members of independent federal agencies.

NTEU v. Trump (Nationwide Impact)

• Issue: Seeks protection for “nonessential” and probationary federal employees from mass terminations or forced resignations
• Implication: Could block Schedule F–style removals and protect large swaths of the federal workforce
• Current status: Pending before US Disctrict for the District of Columbia

Stainnak v. Trump (Nationwide Impact)

• Issue: Challenges the removal of DEI-related positions and offices.
• Implications: Could protect large swaths of the Federal workforce, as well as the work of DEI offices.
• Current status: Pending before the MSPB

Why these Cases Matter

If the courts:

• Uphold political removals, your job may not be protected—even with good performance
• Strike down mass firings, you may gain legal leverage in your agency’s decision-making
• Invalidate due process violations, it may strengthen individual claims moving through EEOC or MSPB

📌 Tip: Don’t just read the news—understand how it could affect your case or exit strategy.

What You Can Do Now

• Document everything: Keep written records of communications, reassignments, and adverse actions
• Understand your status: Are you probationary? Career? SES? Your protection level matters
• Get proactive: Legal wins take time—your personal strategy shouldn’t wait for court decisions

📌 Tip: Lawsuits define the future of federal service—but your choices today define your future. Our Career Transition Bootcamp offers strategy, clarity, and calm during a chaotic time.