A Clinton-appointed federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from curtailing collective bargaining rights for foreign service workers. The ruling, issued by Judge Paul L. Friedman, temporarily halts an executive order that aimed to restrict collective bargaining at agencies with national security missions. The decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges to Trump’s efforts to limit union influence in federal workplaces.
The American Foreign Service Association, a labor union representing foreign service workers, had filed a legal challenge against the executive order, which the White House claimed was necessary to protect national security. In a statement, the White House asserted that “certain Federal unions have declared war on President Trump’s agenda,” emphasizing that protecting national security was a core constitutional duty. However, the court found the executive order to be “unlawful as applied to the Defendants who are heads of agencies with employees represented by the Plaintiff.” This ruling aligns with previous decisions in similar cases, including a previous injunction granted to the National Treasury Employees Union.
President Trump’s executive order sought to end collective bargaining at agencies with national security missions, removing the rights of approximately two-thirds of the federal workforce. The order, signed by President Trump, aimed to limit the influence of unions in federal workplaces, a policy that has faced significant legal pushback. The American Foreign Service Association President Tom Yazdgerdi hailed the ruling as a “significant victory” for the integrity of the Foreign Service and the accountability of member agencies.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly commented on the ruling, stating, “President Trump eliminated collective bargaining agreements that risk national security interests. He will always prioritize public safety for the American people.” Despite the temporary setback, the Trump administration is expected to continue pushing for its policy, with the possibility of further legal battles ahead. The Justice Department has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, leaving the outcome of the case uncertain in the near term.