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Top Three News Stories:
1. Trump Issues Sweeping EO Handing Political Appointees Control Over all Federal Grants
President Trump signed an executive order empowering political appointees to oversee all federal grant programs, including those administered by FEMA, NIH, and NSF. The order allows existing and future grants to be terminated at any time and halts new grant announcements until agencies comply with the new oversight structure. Scientific and public‑health communities warn this move threatens the apolitical foundation of research funding, slows urgently needed initiatives, and may prompt legal challenges. AP News
Legal Insight:
This shift creates substantial compliance risks for federal employees managing grants. Ensure that all discretionary awards include a clear termination-for-convenience clause, and track any unreasonable political interference with established award criteria. Staff should document protests and consult ethics or OGC before fulfilling politically motivated directives; improper interference could violate the Anti-Deficiency Act or merit system principles.
2. OPM Orders Deletion of Federal Employees’ COVID-19 Vaccination Records
On Aug 8, OPM instructed all federal agencies to erase employee files containing COVID‑19 vaccination status, exemption requests, or prior compliance issues. The decision follows litigation over vaccine mandates and is being framed as a corrective to prior disciplinary actions tied to personal health decisions. Agencies must confirm compliance by September 8. Reuters
Legal Insight:
While privacy-friendly, the directive raises questions about record retention obligations—for example, under EEO or accommodations statutes. Agencies should document what is deleted, maintain audit logs for compliance verification, and ensure no adverse decisions rely on expunged data. Employees impacted by prior vaccine-related actions may consider raising personnel grievances or EEO claims if adverse outcomes occurred before record deletion.
3. FAA Launches Aggressive Hiring Plan for 9,000 Air Traffic Controllers Amid Staffing Crisis
To address critical shortages, the FAA unveiled a nationwide hiring initiative aimed at bringing aboard 9,000 new air traffic controllers by 2028, with bonuses up to $10,000 for recruits entering training by August 15 at the FAA Academy. Long Island’s TRACON center (overseeing JFK and LaGuardia airspace) alone is recruiting 226 new controllers. The program prioritizes veterans and private-sector applicants and streamlines training to shorten onboarding time by 27%. New York Post
Legal Insight:
Agencies must ensure hiring incentives like bonuses and accelerated training comply with merit system laws and OPM’s direct-hire authorities. Current federal staff affected by workloads or reassigned due to vacancies should track workload shifts—overtime and detail assignments may entitle them to compensation or priority placement under CBA provisions. If backfill is slow, unions may request data to bargain over staffing adequacy and scheduling equity.
Mindful Moment of the Day:
Crisis-Hotline Centering
If your desk phone rings off the hook with angry beneficiaries or whistle-blower reports, ground first: press both feet into the floor, exhale audibly, and silently note the physical point where your back meets the chair. Keep a sliver of attention on that anchor while the caller vents; research on “dual awareness” from VA suicide-prevention teams shows it cuts secondary-trauma scores by nearly a third. The technique creates an internal buffer, letting empathy flow without letting stress hijack your limbic system. You finish the call clear-headed enough to document facts accurately and move to the next case without emotional carryover.
Legal Tip of the Day:
Responding to a Proposed Suspension
A proposal notice offers two key rights: an oral reply and a written reply. Use both; each gives a separate opportunity to present mitigating facts or highlight procedural flaws. Bring documentary evidence and, if permitted, a representative. A strong reply often results in a reduced penalty or complete withdrawal.
Important Announcement: New RIF Appeal Resources Now Available
Before we dive into today's briefing, we want to quickly highlight new resources we've created specifically for federal employees facing Reduction-in-Force (RIF) actions. Given the challenging situation many federal workers now face, we've developed three tailored options to help you successfully appeal your RIF before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB):
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DIY Online Course (Bronze Level): Step-by-step video modules, proven templates, and strategic guidance to help you confidently file your own MSPB appeal. $199.
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DIY Course + One-on-One Strategy Sessions (Silver Level): After enrolling in the DIY course, schedule private strategy sessions ($350/hour, up to three sessions) to personalize the course materials to your specific case.
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Full Attorney Representation (Gold Level): Professional legal advocacy for high-stakes RIF cases, beginning with a confidential consultation ($350) to outline your strongest arguments and next steps. Retainers start at $5,000.
👉 Schedule Your RIF Strategy Consult
We designed these solutions to empower you—regardless of your budget or your case's complexity. Take action today to protect your federal career and future.
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Deep-Dive Courses for When the Stakes Are Personal
Navigating Reasonable Accommodations: Maximize Telework
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Request accommodations confidently with step-by-step videos, professional templates, and mindfulness tools.
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Federal Employee RIF Masterclass: Protect Your Future
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Secure your career during a Reduction in Force (RIF) with clear video lessons, actionable checklists, and stress-management techniques.
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Need Personalized Advice?
A federal job moves fast—and so do the deadlines to fight discrimination, retaliation, potential discipline, or a removal. If you are interested in seeing if we can help you, one short, confidential call with Southworth PC might be able to help. The consultation is free, you speak with an attorney (not a screener), and our hybrid-retainer model caps your up-front costs until we win or settle.
We litigate before the EEOC, MSPB, and OSC nationwide, drawing on decades of inside knowledge of agency tactics. Protect your rights before the next deadline closes.
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Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Southworth PC provides these insights to help federal employees better understand their rights and navigate workplace developments, but every situation is unique. If you are facing a specific employment issue, you should consult a qualified attorney to discuss the facts of your case. While we aim to ensure the accuracy of legal interpretations at the time of publication, changes in law or policy may affect how the information applies to your circumstances. We’re proud to stand with federal employees—and we’re here when it matters most.
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