Legal Actions

Learn more about the latest legal actions taken in response to attacks on our communities and our democracy.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations v. Department of Labor

Filed on behalf of
Labor organizations and an economic think tank
Case Number
1:25-cv-00339
View Docket
View Appellate Docket
Filed
February 5, 2025
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Relief Outcomes
Sort Outcomes Asc
Temporary Restraining Order
Denied
1
Preliminary Injunction
Denied
4
Summary
A coalition of unions and think tanks has sued the Trump administration to prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive information housed by the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The plaintiffs argue that the creation of DOGE itself oversteps the powers of the Executive Branch, and that DOGE has no authority under the Administrative Procedure Act to eliminate government agencies or access sensitive information within government agencies. The plaintiffs further argue that DOGE obtaining sensitive agency information violates the Privacy Act by failing to meet the Privacy Act's criteria for the disclosure of records. The plaintiffs request that the court prevent DOGE from accessing any further records from the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and require DOGE to return any records from these agencies that they have illegally obtained.
Plaintiffs
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Communications Workers of America Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Economic Policy Institute Virginia Poverty Law Center Economic Action Maryland Fund American Federation of Teachers
Plaintiffs' Counsel
Democracy Forward Foundation American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Communications Workers of America
Defendants
U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Vince Micone U.S. DOGE Service (U.S. Digital Service) U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Dorothy Fink Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Russell Vought

Documents

Reply in support of Preliminary Injunction
AFL-CIO et al v. Department of Labor et al - Reply in Support of Preliminary Injunction
May 2, 2025