Unions Sue Over Trump’s MAGA Loyalty Test in Federal Job Applications
Federal worker unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the inclusion of a “loyalty test” in federal job applications. The lawsuit alleges that the administration is creating an unconstitutional system of political patronage through the Merit Hiring Plan, which includes open-ended essay questions about aligning with the President’s Executive Orders. Despite OPM’s clarification that the questions are “encouraged,” the unions argue that their review by hiring managers and political appointees suggests their use in the hiring process. These questions have appeared in thousands of job postings, including those unrelated to politics, prompting concerns about undermining a nonpartisan workforce.
John Q. Hosedrinker