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Top Three News Stories:

1. Supreme Court Clears the Way for Mass Federal Layoffs  

In a brief unsigned order issued July 8, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction that had paused President Trump’s executive order directing agencies to prepare reduction-in-force actions across government.  The majority said the administration is “likely to succeed” in arguing that the EO was lawful, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson penned a sharp dissent warning of irreparable harm to public services.  The ruling does not decide the underlying lawsuits, but it immediately unlocks agency plans—already drafted—to send thousands of RIF notices at departments such as Agriculture, State and others. Reuters

Legal Insight: 

For employees who receive a RIF notice, key statutory protections still apply: 60-day written notice, retention standing based on tenure, veterans’ preference and performance, and eligibility for placement programs under 5 C.F.R. 351.  If an agency miscalculates retention factors or overlooks a vacancy that could serve as a “bump or retreat” position, an MSPB appeal may reverse the separation with back pay.  Accepting Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) waives most appeal rights, so employees should request written estimates of the buy-out’s effect on annuity and TSP contributions before signing.  Unions can bargain over implementation details—even after the Court’s order—because the duty to negotiate over impact and arrangements survives a government-wide RIF directive.

2. Lower-Court Judges Keep Blocking Trump Policies Despite Limits on Nationwide Injunctions

Reuters reports that, on the same day the Supreme Court narrowed the use of universal injunctions, district judges continued to pause several administration initiatives—including an asylum ban, termination of TPS for Haitian migrants and removal of “gender ideology” health content—by certifying nationwide plaintiff classes.  A major test looms in New Hampshire, where challengers seek class-wide relief against the president’s order restricting birth-right citizenship.  The administration argues such rulings defy the spirit of the Supreme Court’s injunction decision, while plaintiffs contend class actions remain a valid workaround. Reuters

Legal Insight:

For federal employees, these mixed judicial signals mean policy swings may still be frozen agency-by-agency even after high-profile Supreme Court victories.  When a program change is enjoined for a certified class, agencies must halt implementation for all class members, and employees who suffer adverse actions in violation can seek status-quo ante remedies under the Back Pay Act.  HR offices need to track each court order’s scope—“universal,” “class-wide,” or “party-specific”—before finalizing RIFs or benefit changes etc.  Employees asked to comply with a policy that is under injunction should document the directive and request clarification in writing; refusal to obey an unlawful order can be protected activity under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9).  Agency counsel should coordinate with DOJ to avoid contempt.

3. Social Security Blasted for ‘Blatantly Political’ Mass Mailing About Tax Repeal

The Social Security Administration sent millions of beneficiaries a flyer touting the new “Big Beautiful Bill” as ending federal income taxes on 90 percent of benefits—claims economists say overstate the law, which merely raises the standard deduction for seniors.  Critics called the message misleading and partisan; SSA officials responded that outreach materials were cleared through normal channels.  The episode highlights mounting scrutiny of agency communications in an election year. Kiplinger

Legal Insight:

While SSA is separate from the civil-service pay system, federal employees nearing retirement often rely on accurate SSA guidance when making benefit elections.  Misstatements about tax treatment could prompt retirees to make irreversible Survivor Benefit or TSP withdrawal choices based on faulty assumptions.  Employees should seek written tax advice or IRS publications—Form 915 and Pub. 915—before banking on “tax-free” Social Security.  Under the Hatch Act, career feds must steer clear of forwarding partisan agency materials; doing so on duty time or using official resources can trigger OSC investigations.  If misleading government mailers surface, whistleblower disclosure to an IG or OSC can be protected under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8), and employees should preserve copies as evidence before raising concerns.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Inbox One-Breath Rule      

The next time you read a frustrating or high-stakes email, don’t reply right away. Instead, take one deep breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. This calms your nervous system and helps prevent reactive responses. Studies show that people who pause before responding in writing are perceived as more composed and trustworthy—important traits for those in public service and advocacy.