- Title: AFGE accuses Trump and Musk of breaking laws by firing federal employees
- Date: 14th March 2025
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 14, 2025) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL COUNSEL AT THE AFGE (AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES), RUSHAB SANGHVI, SAYING: ''These mass firings were unlawful,they were indiscriminate. They were, you know, the Office of Personnel Management directed them under false pretenses, saying that employees do not perform well
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: AFGE Counsel Trump federal workers firings hearing interview
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: US
- Topics: North America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005897314032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In an interview on Friday (March 14), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) raised concerns about actions taken by President Trump's administration and Elon Musk. They suggested that these actions may be in violation of laws by terminating federal employees indiscriminately. This claim comes in the wake of a series of terminations affecting federal workers, which the AFGE suggests could have broad impacts on small businesses, public parks, and veterans.
Rushab Sanghvi, General Counsel for the AFGE, referred to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge William Alsup that ordered the reinstatement of tens of thousands of probationary federal employees. Sanghvi suggested that this ruling could be seen as a significant challenge to the actions of the administration.
In the wake of these terminations, the AFGE has launched another lawsuit in Seattle. This suit involves transportation security workers and alleges that the Trump administration may have revoked these workers' collective bargaining rights. Sanghvi confirmed that the government had appealed Judge Alsup's ruling and was continuing to pursue it.
The recent actions follow a ruling by Judge Alsup on March 13, 2025, ordering six U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired employees. These employees had lost their jobs as part of what the AFGE has characterized as an effort by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce. Judge Alsup found these actions to be improper.
At this time, neither the Trump administration nor Elon Musk have publicly responded to the allegations made by the AFGE. Their perspective on these allegations and the recent rulings is not known.
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