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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. Advisory-Committee Purge Stalls 2025 Wage Hikes for 60,000 Blue-Collar Feds
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s March decision to dissolve every Pentagon advisory panel has left the statutory Wage Committee without members, freezing locality surveys for 87 of 248 Federal Wage System areas. Roughly 60,000 employees—from Navy ship-yard welders to VA boiler operators—have yet to see the 2025 raise Congress already funded, with unions warning of costly attrition in hard-to-replace trades. Government Executive
Legal Insight:
Under 5 U.S.C. § 5343(c) and 5 C.F.R. Part 532, DoD must convene a properly constituted committee before new schedules can issue; its inaction risks Back Pay Act liability once rates are set retroactively. If workers file grievances or unfair-labor-practice charges alleging an unlawful pay freeze, the agency may struggle to show a defense. Agencies outside DoD that employ Wage-System labor should document recruitment and retention losses now—they strengthen future special-rate petitions and potential class actions for delayed compensation.
2. TSP Posts Broad Gains; Small-Cap S Fund Rebounds to Positive Territory
All ten Thrift Savings Plan core funds rose in June, led by a 5.40 % surge in the S Fund, which turned positive year-to-date for the first time in 2025. The C Fund climbed 5.08 %, the I Fund 3.73 %, and every lifecycle fund ended the month higher. The roll-down of the L 2025 Fund into the L Income Fund and debut of an L 2075 option also went live at month-end. Government Executive
Legal Insight:
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board owes participants a fiduciary duty; June’s across-the-board uptick eases immediate pressure for policy-driven reallocations but heightens scrutiny of any trading-window or blackout announcements.
3. Bill Would Cap ODNI Workforce at 650 and Shutter Counter-Intel Units
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton introduced legislation on July 2 that would slash the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from about 1,800 to 650 positions and abolish components including the National Counterintelligence and Security Center and National Intelligence University. DNI Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers she has already trimmed staff by 25 %, but the bill would compel deeper cuts and realign missions across the Intelligence Community. NBC News
Legal Insight:
Because ODNI personnel occupy Title 10 excepted-service billets, a statutory head-count cap would force rapid reductions-in-force with veterans’ preference unless Congress explicitly waives protections. Dissolving the NCSC would transfer its counter-intelligence duties, raising continuity-of-operations and clearance-adjudication issues. Displaced employees qualify for both the Intelligence Community and DoD Priority Placement Programs; failure to offer them may generate wrongful-separation claims. Agencies anticipating similar reforms should begin retention-register drills and prepare bargaining strategies on reassignment procedures to mitigate litigation risk.
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.
Legal Tip of the Day:
Document Everything—Even If It Feels Small
In the federal workplace, memory fades—but paper doesn’t. If something troubling happens, write it down right away. Date your notes, describe what was said or done, who was present, and how it made you feel. Save emails, take screenshots, and back up important messages off your agency device if allowed. Even seemingly minor interactions can become important later. The best legal defenses often start with a simple note you made when it all began. If you ever need help, a well-documented timeline is one of the most powerful tools you can bring to the table.
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.
👉 Reserve Your Spot (No Payment Required Today) -
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.
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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.
In Case You Missed It:
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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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