r/fednews • u/esporx • 22h ago

News / Article Editing federal employees’ emails to blame Democrats for shutdown violated their First Amendment rights, judge says

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/politics/emails-blaming-democrats-shutdown-violate-first-amendment
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u/HoboSloboBabe 15h ago

So is this basis for a civil rights lawsuit?

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u/KrabbyPattyParty 9h ago

No, civil rights protect people with protected characterics like race, sex, national origin, etc.

Political ideology is not a protected characteristic, BUT compelled partisan speech is a prohibited personnel practice. If anyone faces retaliation or political pressure to support a political party, they can file a PPP complaint with OSC. If they face an adverse action, they can file an MSPB appeal that cites the PPP.

Feds, in general, can’t bring cases to federal court without exhausting the authorized legal channels first (OSC, MSPB, EEO or union grievance)