The government’s version of a going-out-of-business sale is moving forward, for now, and the Trump Administration has said, “it will close entries to a program designed to shrink the number of US government employees by incentivizing resignations and proceed with the next stages.”

Let’s start with a truth bomb.

The federal workforce is about to get a corporate-style shakeup that would make even the most ruthless CEO blush. Thanks to a ruling that allowed the Trump administration’s federal employee buyout program to proceed, thousands of government workers are being given a take-it-or-leave-it deal. Cash out now or potentially face the axe later.

Is this a responsible streamlining of a bloated bureaucracy?

Or is it an underhanded attempt to purge the federal government of inconvenient civil servants who might not align with a particular political agenda? The ruling—penned with all the grace of a bureaucratic guillotine—was upheld despite challenges from labor unions, leaving us with a legal conundrum that’s part constitutional crisis, part labor-rights showdown, and a part dystopian novel.

I’m an unapologetic legal and Supreme Court nerd who wanted to go to law school once upon a time, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it.

The Buyout Program: A ‘Voluntary’ Mass Exodus

On its face, the buyout program appears simple. Federal employees who qualify can voluntarily leave their positions in exchange for a severance package that pays them through October. The administration argues this is a cost-saving measure, reducing the federal workforce without forcing mass layoffs. But that argument smells like take-out left in the back of a federal agency breakroom fridge.

“Voluntary” is a relative term. Sure, nobody is putting a gun to employees’ heads, but there’s a strong whiff of coercion in the air. When the administration dangles a buyout and subtly hints that layoffs are coming next, that’s not voluntary. That’s soft extortion with a side of plausible deniability.

Who Gets Left Behind?

The program disproportionately impacts mid- to late-career employees, who often have the most institutional knowledge. If this were a business, we’d call it “brain drain.” In government? It’s a recipe for inefficiency, a bureaucratic lobotomy.

So, is this a partisan purge? The federal workforce is legally supposed to be nonpartisan. But there’s reason to believe this buyout might be strategically designed to gut specific agencies, especially those that don’t align with the administration’s policies.

Which brings us to the lawsuits.

The Unions Strike Back (Or At Least, They Try)

Almost immediately, labor unions sounded the alarm and ran to the courts. Their argument? The buyout program violates federal employment protections and due process rights under the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) and other labor laws.

But the judge wasn’t buying it. In a ruling that unions argue ignores decades of precedent, the court dismissed the case on standing grounds, meaning the plaintiffs didn’t have a legal right to sue. If that sounds absurd—like saying a tenant can’t sue a landlord for an eviction notice—it’s because it is.

So what went wrong for the unions, and how can they fight back?

Elgin v. Department of the Treasury (2012)

Elgin v. Department of the Treasury: the Supreme Court ruled that federal employees challenging adverse employment actions must go through the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and not the regular courts. Translation? If federal employees want to challenge the buyout, they need to go through a specialized administrative process rather than a traditional lawsuit.

Here’s where the unions’ strategy hit a brick wall. The judge ruled that because the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) already outlines procedures for employment disputes, the unions had no standing to bring their case directly to federal court.

But this is where things get spicy. The CSRA process applies to individual employees, not broad workforce policies. The unions can argue that this isn’t an individual employment dispute. It’s a systemic change affecting thousands of employees at once. And that might be their golden ticket to appeal.

Arnett v. Kennedy (1974)

Arnett v. Kennedy: the Supreme Court held that federal employees do have due process rights but that the government can condition employment on certain procedural requirements. The key takeaway? If the government implements a major employment policy that lacks fair procedural safeguards, it could be unconstitutional.

If unions are smart, they’ll use this case to argue that the buyout program lacks transparency and fairness, essentially coercing workers into resignation without giving them clear alternatives or procedural recourse. The administration can’t just say, “take the deal or risk being fired”, without offering clear protections and appeal mechanisms.

Communications Workers of America v. Beck (1988)

While this case mainly deals with union dues, it also establishes a broader principle. Public-sector employees cannot be coerced into decisions that disproportionately benefit one party over another.

Here’s why that matters. If the buyout program disproportionately benefits the government by removing specific employees or gutting specific agencies, it could be challenged as an unequal bargaining action.

The unions could argue that federal employees were not given an equal say in terms of their own buyouts, and that’s a violation of fair labor practices.

In other words? If this is a stacked deck, it might not hold up in court on appeal.

So, What’s Next? The Path Forward for Unions and Federal Employees

Now that the buyout program has the legal green light, federal employees have two choices. One, take the buyout and run because, let’s face it, the alternative might be a politically motivated purge later. Two, lawyer up and fight by appealing this ruling based on stronger legal arguments, particularly procedural due process violations.

If unions are serious about fighting this, they need to reframe the argument.

Instead of arguing that employees are being fired, they need to argue that workers are being coerced without proper procedural safeguards. Go after transparency and records that show this is a smoking gun for regulatory capture and discrimination. Challenge the standing ruling because the idea that unions don’t have standing when tens of thousands of their members are affected is, frankly, absurd.

The FOIA Blitz Needs to Happen Now

Unions need to go after transparency because we have an entirely new level of corruption on our hands. If the same federal agencies being gutted through this buyout are also the ones investigating Elon Musk’s companies (they were, and I’ll cover that in another piece tomorrow), we have a judicial and ethical disaster on our hands. It’s a direct attack on the rule of law and corporate accountability.

The Department of Justice, SEC, National Labor Relations Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—these agencies weren’t just picking fights with Musk’s companies for sport. They were doing their jobs, enforcing the laws that keep billionaires from playing God with labor rights, financial markets, and national security.

And now, just like that, their investigative divisions are conveniently being bled dry? That is not a coincidence. That is sabotage.

So what happens next?

The unions, the watchdogs, advocacy groups, the investigative journalists—hell, even the particularly pissed-off interns in these agencies or an exceptionally nosey Substacker—need to release the FOIA floodgates. U.S. citizens, legal residents, and even non-citizens can file a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act Requests) request. They need to demand internal memos, meeting notes, email chains, anything that tracks how these buyouts were planned, who was in the room, and whether there was direct or indirect pressure to strip these agencies of their watchdog teeth.

And if the receipts show that specific investigative agencies or individuals were disproportionately targeted? That whistleblowers inside these agencies raised alarms before or after the buyouts? That powerful people were leaning on government officials to “ease up” on Musk’s legal troubles? Then, this isn’t a bureaucratic downsizing. It’s regulatory capture in its most corrupt, democracy-eroding form.

So, file the FOIAs. Demand oversight. Call it what it is: a billionaire-backed gutting of government accountability. And for the love of all things constitutional, don’t let this story get buried.

Bureaucratic Purge or Just Business as Usual?

At its core, this ruling opens up a dangerous precedent. It allows a sitting president to gut the federal workforce under the guise of cost-saving without giving employees the procedural protections they deserve.

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind a revolving door of inexperienced replacements running federal agencies, maybe this isn’t a big deal. But if you believe that government workers aren’t faceless bureaucrats but essential to the functioning of democracy, this should set off alarm bells.

The fight isn’t over. The question now is whether the unions will step up, reframe their arguments, and challenge this ruling at the appellate level. Because if they don’t?

Well, let’s say this buyout might be the beginning of an even bigger problem.

Citizens: How To Fight Back Against The Buyout Program

Even if you’re not a federal employee, this buyout affects you. Here’s why. When experienced workers are pushed out, agencies lose efficiency. That means slower services, backlogs, and whoops—suddenly, that passport application or Social Security claim takes six months instead of six weeks.

Here’s how you can fight back.

1. Raise Hell with Congress

Your elected officials are supposed to care when tens of thousands of government workers are being shown the door. Make them care.

* Call your Senator and Representative. Tell them you oppose the federal worker buyout and demand transparency.

* Demand whistleblower protections. Some employees inside these agencies know exactly what’s happening but won’t talk unless they feel safe. Congress can strengthen protections for them.

👉 Find your reps here: www.house.gov | www.senate.gov

2. Share This Story Everywhere

Politicians love public outrage—because it gets them votes. If this issue doesn’t stay in the news, it dies quietly. Keep it alive.

* Share articles (like this one, obviously) on social media.

* Write op-eds for local newspapers and online platforms.

* Talk about it at town halls, on radio call-ins, and in community groups.

Do you know what gets politicians nervous? When voters start asking hard questions in public about why their Social Security office is suddenly understaffed.

3. Pressure Unions to Keep Fighting

Labor unions are in the fight, but they need support to keep lawsuits going and mobilize workers.

If you support federal employees, donate to legal defense funds or call union leaders to ask: What’s the next step? How can we, the public, help?

4. Organize Protests and Public Action

Unions and advocacy groups are already mobilizing, but they need numbers. If you’re in D.C. or near major government hubs, look for protests or rallies to show support for affected workers.

Federal Employees: What To Do Next

Alright, if you’re one of the 75,000 federal employees staring at a buyout notice, you have decisions to make—fast.

1. Don’t Panic. Get the Facts.

Before you sign anything, make sure you:

* Understand your benefits. What exactly are they offering?

* Know your rights. Are you eligible for early retirement instead? Are there protections under your union contract?

* Talk to colleagues. If you’re all being pushed out at once, that’s evidence of a pattern and could be legally significant.

2. Consult a Federal Employment Lawyer (Even If You’re Broke)

Not everyone can afford to hire a high-powered lawyer, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Who to Call for Free or Low-Cost Legal Help:

* Government Employee Rights Clinic (provided by some law schools)

* American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) – www.afge.org

* National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) – www.nteu.org

* Legal Aid Organizations (Some offer employment law help—check local chapters)

* Public Interest Law Centers that specialize in labor rights

If you can afford even a consultation, do it. A good lawyer can tell you in one meeting if you have a case.

3. Document Everything (Because Lawsuits Love Receipts)

If you think something shady is happening, start collecting:

* Emails that hint at political targeting

* Buyout agreements (compare with colleagues)

* Statements from managers about why you’re being pushed out

* Union communications about the program

Why? Because patterns matter. If evidence shows that certain agencies, departments, or demographics are being disproportionately affected, that’s legally significant.

4. File a Complaint If You Smell Discrimination or Retaliation

If you believe the buyout is targeting specific employees unfairly, you may have grounds to file a complaint under:

* The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), if you believe it’s discriminatory based on race, age, gender, etc.

* The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) if you believe it’s politically motivated or whistleblower retaliation.

👉 EEOC: www.eeoc.gov

👉 OSC: www.osc.gov

These agencies investigate complaints and can take legal action against the government if they find wrongdoing.

5. Consider Union Support for Class-Action Litigation

If multiple employees feel coerced into buyouts without a fair process, a class-action lawsuit may be an option. The unions (AFGE, NTEU) are likely already exploring this.

If you’re affected, reach out to your union now.

6. If You Take the Buyout, Know Your Future Risks

If you take the buyout and leave:

* You might not be eligible for rehire into another federal job for a set period.

* If you already qualify for federal retirement, taking the buyout could affect your benefits, so consult a benefits specialist first.

* If layoffs happen anyway, those employees might get additional severance, and you won’t.

Translation? Think carefully before signing anything.

The Time To Act Is Now

This buyout isn’t just about trimming the workforce. It’s about reshaping the federal government. If we don’t fight back now, what stops this from becoming the new normal every time an administration wants to purge agencies and replace them with political loyalists?

The legal battle is just getting started. Unions need support. Lawyers need whistleblowers. Politicians need pressure.

Most importantly? Federal employees need to stand together because this decision is bigger than just a paycheck. It’s about who controls the government, who serves the people, and whether bureaucratic expertise will survive political purges.

It’s go time.

Disclaimer:

I am not a lawyer. I do not play one on TV. I have no secret J.D. hidden under my bed, and I am definitely not your attorney. Do not buy me coffee and ask me questions. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Think of it as history and legal precedent analysis with a side of snark, not professional legal counsel.

If you are facing legal issues related to employment, government buyouts, or any other legal matter, consult an actual attorney, preferably one with a degree, a bar membership, and a healthy respect for case law. The law is complicated, constantly evolving, and highly fact-dependent, meaning your situation may be wildly different from the general legal discussions presented here.

No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this, commenting on it, sharing it, or screaming about it on Twitter. Any reliance on the information contained in this article is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for any legal, financial, emotional, existential, or caffeine or alcohol-related consequences that may arise from acting on anything written here.

In short? Read. Think. Question. But for the love of precedent, talk to a lawyer if you need actual legal advice.

Now, what do YOU think? Should federal employees take the buyout or fight? Is this government streamlining or political retribution? Sound off in the comments. This ruling is just the beginning of a much bigger battle.

The Watchlist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get full access to The Watchlist at thewatchlistpolitics.substack.com/subscribe