John,

The federal government shut down at midnight on September 30, leaving federal workers with another chaotic mess in a year that was already filled with them. I’m the President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents many of those federal workers, and I want to tell you how we’re fighting back.

Donald Trump swept into office with the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, in tow, and proceeded to insult the work of the 800,000 public servants who keep Social Security checks moving, care for our veterans, keep our drinking water safe, and so much more. Together, these billionaires forced out thousands of career staff, and now they’re going even further. Before this shutdown started, we got news that the Trump Administration sees this crisis as an opportunity to kick us while we’re down.  

Announcing plans to fire potentially tens of thousands of federal employees simply because Congress and the administration are at odds on funding the government past the end of the fiscal year is not only illegal – it’s immoral and unconscionable. Federal employees dedicate their careers to public service―more than a third are military veterans―and the contempt being shown to them by this administration is appalling.

Let’s be clear: Federal employees are not bargaining chips. They are veterans, caregivers, law enforcement officers, and neighbors who serve their country and fellow Americans every day. They deserve stability and respect, not pink slips and political games.

These firings will be as unlawful as they will be chaotic. We’re not wasting any time―we filed a lawsuit to stop these firings before this shutdown even started. Can you split $7 with the Federal Worker Defense Fund and Social Security Works to help fund this legal challenge?

Here’s why we’re asking: For decades, AFGE was able to collect dues from our members through paycheck deduction, just like most other unions. But in March, Donald Trump issued an executive order that barred agencies from cooperating in these standard dues deductions. Because of Trump’s war on workers, we have had to dip into our reserves as we’re facing the biggest crisis in our union’s history.

This administration has repeatedly refused to follow the laws that govern the federal workforce. They have impounded Congressionally authorized funds, shuttered duly authorized agencies, and now they’re using this Congressional spat as another excuse to carry out their DOGE agenda. We have to fight back.

Can you chip in $7 to stand up to Trump’s illegal mass firing scheme? We’re suing to stop the mass firing of America’s workers.

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I want to thank Alex, Michael, and Nancy from Social Security Works for giving me the chance to reach out to you.

In solidarity,

Everett Kelley
President
American Federation of Government Employees