A new Supreme Court opinion is terrible news for federal workers
The Supreme Court's recent decision poses significant challenges for federal workers regarding their employment protections. Justice Amy Coney Barrett's endorsement of a theory that could allow the president to dismiss civil servants raises concerns about job security. This ruling may lead to a future where civil service protections are at the discretion of the president.
- ▪The Supreme Court ruled in Margolin v. National Association of Immigration Judges, impacting federal immigration judges' rights to speak publicly about immigration law.
- ▪Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Barrett, suggested that the president could eliminate employment protections for federal civil servants.
- ▪This decision indicates a potential shift in how civil service protections are viewed, aligning with the 'unitary executive' theory favored by Republican judges.
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PoliticsA new Supreme Court opinion is terrible news for federal workersJustice Barrett wants Trump to be able to fire everyone in the federal government.by Ian MillhiserMay 26, 2026, 9:50 PM UTCShareGiftJustice Amy Coney Barrett Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesIan Millhiser is a senior correspondent at Vox, where he focuses on the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the decline of liberal democracy in the United States. He received a JD from Duke University and is the author of two books on the Supreme Court.Remember DOGE, the Elon Musk-led “government efficiency” project that spread chaos during President Donald Trump’s first few months back in office, fired tens of thousands of federal employees, and then vanished almost as abruptly as it began?If you didn’t lose your job in one of…
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