Joseph Hof
Jan 27, 2025
The firm urges action to protect the rights of those who have long served as watchdogs of our government and its integrity.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Over the weekend, the firm took urgent and necessary action to address a critical issue that threatens the principles of fairness, accountability, and due process within the Federal workforce. An appeal docketed at the Merit Systems Protection Board in Washington, DC highlights the importance of ensuring all Federal workers—including Senior Executives and those in the excepted service—receive proper appeals rights notice language under 5 C.F.R. §1201.27. This includes the right to file class claims in appropriate circumstances.
The recent, newsworthy removal of at least twelve Inspectors General during a late-night purge on Friday, January 25, 2025, underscores the urgency of this matter. These Inspectors General, who have dedicated their careers to serving as independent watchdogs and safeguarding the public interest, deserve the same protections afforded to other federal employees, including clarity regarding their right to appeal.
On January 26, 2025, the firm filed a request with the Board for the Board to issue an order of protection to influence the content of the official removal notices, which appear to have yet to be delivered via certified, return-receipt mail. There is still time to amend these notices to include the appeals rights notice language that should be required under 1201.27. This critical step would uphold transparency and ensure these individuals are fully informed of their rights to unite together and appeal their removal which appears to be based on their identity as Inspectors General rather than any individual defect. That is precisely what the class claim process is all about.
Additionally, the firm has requested the Board permit intervenors to participate in the appeal, and the firm has communicated with the Office of Special Counsel's Investigations and Prosecutions Division to encourage the Office of Special Counsel's intervention on behalf of the removed Inspectors General. On January 27, 2025, a copy of this press release will be provided to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York. These public servants, now facing significant emotional and mental turmoil akin to trauma and PTSD, deserve our unwavering support. They devoted their careers to protecting the public interest; now, it is our turn to protect them.
The importance of this effort cannot be overstated. This is not just about twelve Inspectors General—it is about setting a precedent that ensures all Federal employees, regardless of their position or status, are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect under the law.
I encourage others to join this cause by filing at the Board to advocate for appeals rights notice language for federal workers and to stand in solidarity with those who have been unjustly removed. There should be no reason why current Federal workers could not file in their individual capacities. Filings need not cite to this press release in order to be considered. The Board has been provided notice by this firm of the fact that a deluge of filers could be filing at the Board this week in defense of one another. Requests can be filed in folks's individual capacities, and need not relate back to any of the other issues of the appeal. Together, we can ensure that justice and due process are upheld for all Federal workers. We are stronger together. Now is the time.
Let us act now to protect the rights of those who have long served as protectors of our government and its integrity.
Contact:
Merit Systems Protection Board
1615 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20419
End of Release
On February 20, 2025, this article was edited to remove the citation of an appeal.