Brought to you by Southworth PC—Attorneys for Federal Employees

Our online community now tops 150,000 federal workers and supporters across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Each briefing distills the day’s most consequential developments, adds clear-eyed legal analysis, and pairs it with mindfulness tools that keep you steady no matter how turbulent the news cycle becomes. If this newsletter helps you stay informed, please pass it on: https://fedlegalhelp.com/newsletter. Your advocacy broadens the protective circle for every federal employee.

Top Three News Stories:

1. Supreme Court Lets President Remove Three Consumer Product Safety Commissioners

In a 6‑3 emergency order on July 23, the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to oust the three remaining Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, overriding a lower‑court ruling that removal requires cause. Supporters say the decision underscores broad presidential control over executive officials; dissents warn it erodes independent‑agency checks established by Congress. The three commissioners’ lawsuit challenging the dismissals will continue, but they are off the job unless the case ultimately succeeds. Reuters

Legal Insight: 

Career CPSC staff are unaffected for now, but agency leadership changes can shift priorities quickly; employees should watch for revised policy memos and reprogramming of resources. The ruling signals that similar cause‑removal protections at other boards could be vulnerable, although statutory and constitutional questions will vary by agency. Whistle‑blower and equal‑employment safeguards remain intact regardless of who sits on the Commission.

2. Appeals Court Blocks Order Requiring Disclosure of Agency RIF Plans

The Ninth Circuit on July 23 granted the administration’s emergency request to keep dozens of agency layoff plans under wraps, pausing a district‑court directive that they be turned over to unions and local governments challenging mass RIFs. The stay means plaintiffs won’t see specific competitive‑area maps or retention registers while the case proceeds, although oral arguments on the merits are scheduled for September. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:

Without the plans, employees and unions must rely on notice letters and informal briefings to assess whether RIF procedures are being followed. Affected workers should keep copies of every notice and verify that tenure, veterans’ preference and performance records in their e‑OPF are correct; errors can still be challenged in MSPB appeals even if the broader lawsuit stalls. Agencies remain obligated to provide unions with data “necessary for bargaining,” so targeted information requests—rather than blanket demands—may yield key documents.

3. VA Review Puts More Than 24,000 Positions at Risk of Downgrade

The Department of Veterans Affairs told employees on July 23 that its ongoing classification audit could downgrade pay grades for roughly 24,000 positions across medical centers and headquarters. Officials say the review aims to align duties with modern standards; unions fear it will push experienced staff to resign amid wider attrition. VA has not announced a timeline for final decisions but said affected employees will receive individual notices if reclassification is proposed. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:

A downgrade based on classification (rather than performance) entitles employees to retained grade and pay for set periods under 5 U.S.C. §§ 5362–5363, giving time to compete for higher‑graded vacancies. Anyone notified of a proposed downgrade can request a desk audit or file an appeal with the VA’s classification office; bargaining‑unit employees may also grieve under negotiated procedures. If reclassification leads to significant duty changes, unions can bargain over workload and training impacts before implementation.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

The 'Between-Meetings' Body Scan  

Back-to-back meetings can leave your mind buzzing and your body tense. After one call ends, keep your camera off and close your eyes for a quick body scan. Start at your head and work down, noticing any tightness or sensation without judgment. Breathe into each part. These small scans increase somatic awareness—our brain’s connection to the body—and help you reset emotionally and mentally for what’s next.