US EditionUnions Sue Over Trump's Federal Hiring Questions
Three federal employee unions argue the loyalty question violates free speech and nonpartisan hiring by compelling political views from applicants, appearing on 5,800 job applications.
- On Thursday, three unions sued the Trump administration in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts over what they call a partisan 'loyalty question' on federal job applications, seeking to bar its use in hiring decisions.
- In May, Office of Personnel Management released its Merit Hiring Plan, which includes four essay questions, one asking how applicants would help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities, though OPM states the essays are encouraged and optional.
- The essay questions have appeared on over 5,800 listings, from a Defense meat cutter to an Agriculture research biologist, and answers will be reviewed by hiring managers and political appointees.
- Unions argue the question compels speech and chills applicants, violating free speech and the Privacy Act; the Department of Education reposted jobs this year, forcing displaced civil servants to answer the essay to try to recover positions.
- The complaint alleges the administration is seeking to install political loyalists, with AFGE National President Everett Kelley linking it to Project 2025 and union leaders condemning it as an assault on the civil service and public servants' oaths.
24 Articles
24 Articles
The Columbian
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The Epoch Times
The Political InsiderPublic Service Unions Sue Federal Government Over ‘Loyalty Question’ on Hiring Forms
BOSTON—A group of unions representing federal civil servants filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government on Nov. 6 over a proposed so-called “loyalty question” on hiring forms that would test fidelity to the Trump administration’s policy views. The unions allege that one of four essay-response questions in the administration’s Merit Hiring Plan seeks to identify candidates’ political views during the hiring process, which it claims is impermissi…
Unions challenge Trump administration 'loyalty question' in job posts
Federal worker unions late Thursday filed a suit challenging the Trump administration’s inclusion of a so-called loyalty question in a set of prompts to be answered by prospective employees. The new question “essentially establishes a system of unconstitutional political patronage,” they argue, while “allowing the Trump Administration to weed out those who do not voice sufficient support for President Trump and reward those who do.” The American…
Unions challenge Trump administration ‘loyalty question’ in job posts
Federal worker unions late Thursday filed a suit challenging the Trump administration’s inclusion of a so-called loyalty question in a set of prompts to be answered by prospective employees. The new question “essentially establishes a system of unconstitutional political patronage,” they argue, while “allowing the Trump Administration to weed out those who do not voice…
Federal unions sue over ‘loyalty tests’
New Labor-led lawsuit seeks to protect the nonpartisan civil service from the latest Trump-Vance administration attacks The following is from AFSCME: BOSTON, MA (November 7, 2025) — Despite the lapse in government funding, and the furloughing of hundreds of thousands of federal workers, the government continues to post new job opportunities, with a new and […] The post Federal unions sue over ‘loyalty tests’ appeared first on The STAND.
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