Civil service
27 Articles
What Just Happened: Musk-OPM Send Email to Federal Employees Asking for Five Accomplishments
The OPM's recent email and online threat by Elon Musk demonstrate that resignations and layoffs will continue — whether lawful or not.
The Just Security Podcast: What Just Happened Series, Understanding Federal Employee Rights
Labor and employment expert Suzanne Summerlin discusses the protections available to federal employees if their rights are violated.
What Just Happened: Purges at the DOJ and FBI — How Do and Don’t the Civil Service Laws Apply
Expert Backgrounder on how civil service laws do or do not protect DOJ and FBI officials from retaliation.
“The Trump Administration’s Attacks on International Law and Institutions”: Public Statement of American Human Rights Experts, Current and Former Members of UN Bodies
Since the 20th of January, we have watched with increasing alarm as the administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump has sought to repudiate the commitments of the United States…
The Senate’s Dilemma: Kash Patel and the Purging of the FBI
Analysis of Kash Patel's nomination for FBI director in light of DOJ purge of FBI personnel and Patel's new answers to questions for record.
Can the President Dissolve USAID by Executive Order?
Dissolution of USAID or formal transfer of its functions provided by Congress would require legislation - the president may not unilaterally override a statute by executive order.
Federal Employee Rights: What Probationary Employees Need to Know
With so much uncertainty facing federal employees, many on probation want to know what their rights are—especially when it comes to actions against their employment like removing…
Deprofessionalizing the State Department Is a Threat to National Security
One reason for the continuation of senior staff across administrations is because it takes time to build the human capital required, and an experienced diplomatic corps is an essential…
Politicizing the Civil Service: How a New Executive Order Destabilizes the U.S. Government
President Donald Trump unveiled a stunning executive order that threatens to undermine one of the most important aspects of American government: the professional civil service.…
Good Governance Paper No. 17: How to Use the Bureaucracy to Govern Well
[Editors’ note: This essay is one in a series—the Good Governance Papers—organized by Just Security. In these essays, leading experts explore actionable legislative and…
Federal Employees’ Liability Risks for Following Illegal Directives to Interfere in 2020 Election
Former Acting General Counsel at the Department of Defense with a strong warning to federal employees across departments and agencies.
Wrecking the Government to Build a Wall
Washington has muddled into and out of shutdowns before, but this one has the potential to be dangerously historic. The current impasse may become the straw that breaks the camel’s…