United States | News & Politics

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39107846

One federal employee said in a court filing that they "cannot in good conscience pretend to agree with President Trump’s policies."

Government employees asked a federal judge Wednesday to block the Trump administration from encouraging job applicants to demonstrate their loyalty to the president’s agenda.

In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, a group of federal labor unions argues that the White House’s “[merit hiring plan](https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/transmittals/2025/Merit Hiring Plan 5-29-2025 FINAL.pdf)” violates applicants’ First Amendment rights. The plan, put forth by the Office of Personnel Management, includes the following short essay question: 

“How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.”