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Three federal worker unions filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management over essay questions included in the Trump administration's merit-based hiring plan released in May.</span

Three federal worker unions filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management over essay questions included in the Trump administration's merit-based hiring plan released in May.

The controversial essay question asks applicants how they would help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in their role, requiring them to identify specific orders or initiatives significant to them.</span

The controversial essay question asks applicants how they would help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in their role, requiring them to identify specific orders or initiatives significant to them.

The essay question has appeared on over 5,800 federal job postings for positions including meat cutter at the Department of Defense, laundry worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and dental hygienist positions.</span

The essay question has appeared on over 5,800 federal job postings for positions including meat cutter at the Department of Defense, laundry worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and dental hygienist positions.

The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that the essay questions are not mandatory but encouraged, though hiring managers and political appointees will review the answers as part of the evaluation process.</span

The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that the essay questions are not mandatory but encouraged, though hiring managers and political appointees will review the answers as part of the evaluation process.

An OPM official defended the questions, stating the President has constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch and that asking about policy implementation is lawful since civil servants must act consistently with executive orders.</span

An OPM official defended the questions, stating the President has constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch and that asking about policy implementation is lawful since civil servants must act consistently with executive orders.

The unions argue the questions violate First Amendment rights by conditioning employment on political viewpoints and undermine the nonpartisan civil service system established by 19th century civil service laws.</span

The unions argue the questions violate First Amendment rights by conditioning employment on political viewpoints and undermine the nonpartisan civil service system established by 19th century civil service laws.

Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

Federal Unions Sue Trump Admin. Over Trump'Loyalty's HiringPolitical PlanEssay Questions

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Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

Federal Unions Sue Trump Admin. Over Trump'Loyalty's HiringPolitical PlanEssay Questions

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