Defending the Civil Service
Government accountability is more important now than ever. From mass firings at independent federal watchdog agencies to reclassifying nonpartisan civil servants as at-will employees, the merit-based federal workforce and the laws protecting its independence are under attack.
For nearly 50 years, Government Accountability Project has defended whistleblowers across every administration. We drafted and led the passage of most of the federal whistleblower protection laws that exist today, including the Whistleblower Protection Act, the primary law that protects the rights of federal employees to safely report violations of laws, waste or mismanagement, abuse of authority, and serious dangers to public health and safety.
Government Accountability Project is defending not only the rights of civil servants to remain apolitical, report wrongdoing, and refuse to obey illegal orders, but also to protect the independent agencies that receive whistleblower disclosures and enforce anti-retaliation rights. Learn more about how Government Accountability Project is pushing back against the unjustified decimation of independent oversight entities, offering resources and trainings for federal employees, and filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s removal of whistleblowing protections from countless civil servants.
U.S. Agency of Global Media and Voice of America
The US Agency for Global Media – and Voice of America, one of its subagencies – focuses on providing objective, nonpartisan news internationally over radio and television across the world, with a special focus on Asia (Radio Free Asia), Cuba (TV [and Radio] Martí), Europe (Radio Free Europe) and the Middle East (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa). These regions have a clear need for unbiased media in their languages outside the strictures of official state ideologies, thus allowing the free flow of information.
Filings
On March 21, 2025, Government Accountability Project represented journalists, federal workers, and their unions to sue USAGM, its Acting Director Victor Morales, and Special Adviser Kari Lake to challenge the unlawful shuttering of the agency and silencing of global media. Our lawsuit asserts USAGM violated the First Amendment, separation of powers, appointments clause, and several laws when it suspended nearly all operations, says a new complaint filed by unions and workers.
This lawsuit is still ongoing.
New York Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against USAGM to Halt Unlawful Dismissals
News
Schedule Policy/Career
Schedule Policy/Career is a classification system for federal employees that resurrects "Schedule F," an executive order reclassifying certain nonpartisan civil servants as at-will employees, effectively eliminating their whistleblowing protections. Government Accountability Project is actively pushing back against this change that strips away independent legal protections from federal workers who face retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.
Filings
Represented by Protect Democracy, we joined the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration's implementation of Schedule Policy/Career on February 6, 2025.
This lawsuit is still ongoing.
Protect Democracy & Selendy Gay File Lawsuit To Defend a Cornerstone of American Democracy
News
Oversight Agencies
Working with independent oversight agencies like the Office of Special Council (OSC) and Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) is an essential part of Government Accountability Project's methodology for securing formal investigations into the wrongdoing that whistleblowers report and corrective action for the retaliation they face. These agencies are responsible for protecting whistleblowers from retaliation and taxpayers from fraud, waste, and abuse. With their independent and apolitical work threatened by mass firings, it is Government Accountability Project's job to push back and make sure these agencies can uphold the rule of law by remaining independent watchdogs, free from political interference. Learn more about our work advocating for action to protect OSC and MSPB from illegal politicization.
Filings
After a Department of Justice motion seeking to remove Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger from office, we submitted an amicus brief urging the D.C. Court of Appeals to reject this significant threat to the independence and effectiveness of Office of Special Counsel.
Though this case has been closed, Government Accountability Project still advocates for the Special Counsel's independence as a nonpartisan guardian of accountability.
Government Accountability Project Defends Whistleblower Agency's Independence After DOJ Appeal
News
Resources
Know Your Anti-Gag Rights
An effective government relies on employees who can raise concerns without fearing retaliation. Yet, despite clear laws protecting civil servants who report wrongdoing, some agencies still issue restrictive nondisclosure agreements, directives, or informal policies—collectively known as "gag orders"—that could unlawfully suppress whistleblowing. Congress has clearly affirmed, through multiple statutes, that these restrictions cannot override federal workers' whistleblower rights, and understanding those laws is a public servant's first step to asserting their rights when censored. Learn about your anti-gag rights by reading our easy guide!
At this critical time, our democracy depends on the commitment and effort of millions of federal employees, contractors and grantees around the world. Check out our guide for workers- those in the best position to witness decisions and actions that threaten the rule of law.
This resource was developed to support advocacy groups that, in the course of working on issues across the social, economic, and environmental justice spectrums, might encounter employees who want to share important information to advance accountability. The free guide offers practical guidance to help them protect and support potential whistleblowers while ensuring they are not inadvertently exposed to retaliation.
Justice Connection
The survival of our democracy and the rule of law depends on a robust, apolitical civil service, especially at the Department of Justice. Government Accountability Project represented multiple Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblowers from several different divisions during President Trump’s first administration and are providing legal counsel and rights education to DOJ employees from the current administration.
Justice Connection, a new initiative, is a network of DOJ alumni mobilizing to protect current DOJ employees and the rule of law. This network can offer legal counsel and matchmaking, whistleblower support, security guidance, mental health assistance, job placement, and other forms of peer-to-peer support, while being a united voice defending the rule of law and an apolitical justice system.
Donations to Justice Connection are tax deductible and will be processed by Government Accountability Project, a 501(c)(3) that serves as Justice Connection’s fiscal sponsor.
Union Search Tool for Federal Employees
Some whistleblowing protections are established through federal union bargaining agreements and enforced in arbitration. Unions serve as an important resource for education about, and enforcement of, other labor and employment rights. Here you can find our union search tool and some frequently asked questions. If you are a federal employee looking for your union, the tool will assist you in finding the union for which you’re eligible.
Trainings
Government Accountability Project offers trainings and speaking opportunities for workplaces, organizations, allies, and more to learn more about their rights as whistleblowers in the field.
These trainings include information for federal employees about their rights to blow the whistle and refuse to obey illegal orders. Government Accountability Project has provided trainings with the non-partisan Partnership for Public Service as well as with Rep. Jamie Raskin for both his constituents and his colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee. We also provide guidance for coalition members and staff of other public interest partners to whom employees frequently seek help.
