Government Employees' Rights

The District of Columbia is home to many employees of the federal and D.C. governments, as well as the agencies that employ them. These agencies are bound by the Constitution even when acting as an employer. The ACLU of the District of Columbia fights for the rights of government employees to equal protection of the laws, to speak out about matters of public concern, and to fair disciplinary procedures that comport with the Constitution.

Federal Employees

The District of Columbia is home to many employees of the federal and D.C. governments, as well as the agencies that employ them. These agencies are bound by the Constitution even when acting as an employer. The ACLU of the District of Columbia fights for the rights of government employees to equal protection of the laws, to speak out about matters of public concern, and to fair disciplinary procedures that comport with the Constitution.

The Latest

Press Release
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Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Political Speech Restrictions on Administrative Employees of the Federal Court System

“The government tried to ban ordinary employees from political activities that are central to our democracy, like publicly expressing views on candidates for office. That’s exactly the type of overreach the First Amendment exists to correct.”
Issue Areas: Freedom of Speech and Association, Government Employees' Rights
Court Cases: Guffey v. Duff - Defending Political Speech and Association Rights of Administrative Employees of the Federal Court System
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ACLU-DC Statement on the Department of Corrections Change in Leadership

“Director Booth leaves behind a shameful legacy of neglect and mistreatment of incarcerated individuals and DOC staff...We call on Mayor Bowser to conduct a transparent and inclusive process in the selection of the next permanent DOC director."
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Government Employees' Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights
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TSA Reinstates Employee with Full Back Pay and Clean Record After 11-Month Suspension Over a False Allegation Without Due Process

“This case shows why due process is so important. How can an innocent person defend himself if he’s never told what he’s accused of? TSA needs to do a better job of respecting the rights of its own employees.”
Issue Areas: Due Process/Procedural Rights, Government Employees' Rights
Court Cases: Cruz-Martin v. Dept. of Homeland Security – Defending due process for government employees
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D.C. Corrections Officer Challenges Hostile Anti-Gay Workplace at D.C. Department of Corrections

Plaintiff Endured Anti-Gay Slurs, Retaliation, and Threats of Assault Over Many Years
Issue Areas: Disability Rights, Equal Protection and Discrimination, Government Employees' Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights
Court Cases: Jones v. District of Columbia
Court Case
Mar 26, 2025

STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS

Federal employees filed a complaint against the Trump administration for targeting workers, especially people of color, women, and non-binary workers, for participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, violating their First Amendment rights.
Court Case
Jan 10, 2023

Neloms v. District of Columbia – Challenging D.C. DMV’s Telework Discrimination Against Parents and Caregivers

In December 2022, we filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights alleging discrimination based on family responsibilities and seeking compensation for our clients and changes to the DMV telework policy so it does not disadvantage parents and caregivers.
Court Case
Nov 17, 2021

Jones v. District of Columbia

Deon Jones, a gay man, has been employed by the D.C. Dept. of Corrections for more than two decades, where he has endured pervasive acts of harassment based on his sexual orientation. The lawsuit describes how Sgt. Jones faced constant harassment from co-workers and incarcerated persons alike.
Court Case
May 12, 2021

Kirton v. Mayorkas – Challenging Overly an Narrow Interpretation of Federal Employment Discrimination Law

Alicia Kirton, a FEMA budget analyst, was denied full-time telework status even though her work could be done remotely and a white man with the same job had been granted telework status for years.