AFL-CIO launches federal worker legal defense network

DOGE and Elon Musk are betting they can gut the federal workforce without resistance. Organized labor is fighting back. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2025) — The labor movement and allies announced the formation of Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network on Wednesday, a new project to connect federal workers whose rights have been violated by the Trump administration with free legal support.

Under the guise of “efficiency” the Trump administration has moved quickly to slash public institutions, gutting research on cancers and other life-threatening illnesses, hallowing out agencies that protect workers’ rights, and threatening access to social security for millions.

Since January, thousands of federal workers have been abruptly fired and thrown out of these jobs that their families and communities rely on. They have an urgent need for legal support, which will only escalate throughout the spring as “reduction in force” plans go into effect. Federal workers’ unions and allied organizations are already fighting back in court, but thousands of federal workers still need individual legal advice and representation.

Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network will mobilize and train thousands of lawyers to provide pro bono legal guidance to federal workers.

“Attacks on federal workers are attacks on all workers and on the essential services that our communities rely on daily,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO in a press release. “Getting these workers the justice they deserve in the face of this onslaught will take all of us.”

Federal workers can use the site to access legal support, lawyers can sign up to provide services, and supporters can use the website’s tools to share word of this valuable new resource with their networks and donate to help fund legal aid.

The Legal Defense Network is powered by the AFL-CIO and We The Action with Democracy Forward, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the American Constitution Society (ACS), the Partnership for Public Service, and others.

“AFGE is proud to partner together with allies across the nation to ensure patriotic American civil servants under relentless attack by this administration have access to the legal resources they need,” said Everett Kelley, AFGE’s national president, in a statement.