Issue 60
BREAKING NEWS
» What the country really needs is a de-prescribing of RFKJ: Kennedy Starts a Push to Help Americans Quit Antidepressants | New York Times
» Here's the latest: How a deadly hantavirus outbreak unfolded on a cruise ship for weeks before it was identified | AP News
» Remember the comments we left about this rule? Well, they passed it anyway. Federal Agency Finalizes Rule Capping Loans for Graduate and Professional Programs, Making it Harder for Many Americans to Earn Degrees in In-Demand Fields | American Association of Universities
» So much for “radical transparency.” Schedule C, G Appointees Exempted from Performance Appraisals; Could Set Precedent for Schedule P/C | FEDWeek
» This should be fine. OPM Announces AI-Powered Hiring Tool ‘USA Class’ | MeriTalk
» Welcome back, FEMA employees. FEMA workers who sounded alarm over nation’s disaster preparedness reinstated after 8 months | AP News
» Guess she’s going back to being an influencer. Trump Withdraws Nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General | New York Times
» Feds that Trump fired without cause can take their appeals directly to federal court, judges say | Government Executive
Welcome to the 60th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.
Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), or signing up to volunteer. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.
Fresh new Fired But Fighting merch
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
» Both RIF lawsuits in Judge Susan Illston's court (the original and shutdown RIF lawsuits) have a status conference scheduled for May 8. The government appears to want to settle the shutdown RIF lawsuit. Meanwhile, the discovery dispute around the attempted cuts of FEMA's CORE staff rages on, though DHS may be backing away from that as well [https://wapo.st/4nbKPmK]. Updates for NY v. Kennedy are not expected until June. Meanwhile, Gilbert should be sending out emails to fired HHS probationary employees any day now.
» This week's legal update contains more details on the federal lawsuits challenging the HHS RIFs and the legal action around probationary employee firings, as well as a roundup of RFK's testimonies about the federal budget on Capitol Hill, information tracking the Congressional appropriations process, and information on the ongoing MSPB appeals. As a reminder, we have launched a working group for pro se appellants from different HHS agencies. The purpose of the group is to share information and work together to figure out how to file motions and manage discovery. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.
Read the full legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» If you want to help after the most recent attempts to further restrict abortion access, check out the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF). NNAF is a network of nearly 100 grassroots organizations that support people seeking abortion access. Together, they organize at the crossroads of racial, economic, and reproductive justice.
» Get ready to vote with some resources we’ve compiled:
Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org: Make sure you’re registered, see what’s on your ballot, find your polling place, etc.
Make sure you never miss another election or polling place change by registering at the nonpartisan TurboVote.
Your Georgia Ballot has been sourced from news coverage, candidates’ websites, endorsement questionnaires, and other publicly available information.
» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.
EVENTS
» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.
NPHC Media Training
» Join NPHC for a hands-on media training to help public health professionals confidently engage with reporters and communicate effectively in a news environment. In this training, you’ll:
Learn how to navigate media conversations around high-interest public health topics
Practice live interview scenarios and receive real-time feedback
Understand what messaging resonates most with the public and explore why message alignment across teams is critical to building trust and credibility
Come ready to learn, practice, and strengthen how you communicate about public health when it matters most.
Join one of our two Zoom sessions:
UNION CORNER
» The election for L2883 officers is complete. Members received election results via snail mail, and we are thrilled to congratulate our new officers.
» Our next monthly member meeting is Tuesday, May 12, at 12 pm. Check your email for the link.
» Beyond the Request: How to Strategically Secure and Defend Your Reasonable Accommodation
AFGE 2883 is bringing Davidra Bazemore-Blue, LCSW-C — known to many of you as @TheMogulSocialWorker — to lead an exclusive FREE training for our members and employees. It's open to everybody, but AFGE 2883 members will have registration priority.
📅 Register for May 13th, 7 pm - 8:30 pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BS4T-jRrTeK3sORRsN9Ojg
📅 Register for May 21st, 7 pm - 8:30 pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dakPyvGSSWGbya6ZZWZiZw
💻 Virtual | 90 minutes each
❓ Live Q&A included. Bring your questions
» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disability community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.
» If you’re not already a member, sign up to join the fight now. As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join. The only exception is commissioned corps officers.https://join.afge.org/L2883
CDC MUTUAL AID
🏓Smash for a Cause: Pickleball Social Benefit 🏓
» Join CDC Mutual Aid on Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at ITP Training Academy (3110 Presidential Drive, Atlanta) for a morning of pickleball, community, and fun — all benefiting CDC Mutual Aid. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned player, there's a spot on the court for you. Beginners will get hands-on coaching from CDC alumnae and event sponsor Denise Koo (paddles available to borrow), while intermediate and advanced players can jump straight into competitive play on ITP's world-class courts.
Attendance is free, and we encourage a suggested donation of $40 to support CDC Mutual Aid. The giving doesn't stop there: 15% of all food and drink proceeds from ITP's kitchen and bar will go directly to the cause. Rain or shine, we've got you covered with nearby indoor facilities.
Spots are capped at 44, so don't wait. Register here and make your donation today.
» Check out our store: Remember that every purchase directly supports our mission and helps us continue making a difference. https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:
WEEKLY 27 UNIHTED
» Every Saturday: Vigil commemorating the lives and knowledge lost through NIH cuts.
Fed Workers Coffee Hour
» Every Thursday of each month through October 2026. Download the flyer.
» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s Instagram account.
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most popular story:
» RFK Jr proposes "Concentration" Camps for Neurodivergent Kids, Says: "It's Not What You Think" - “I know it sounds like I am saying we should put these kids in concentration camps,” stated Secretary Kennedy in an exchange with Senators on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions last week, “But it’s not like a concentration camp. It’s more like a camp where they can concentrate. Very important difference”.
» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week’s Spoon goes to the organizers of the CDC Alumni Speed Networking event that took place on April 27.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
CAREER CORNER
» AID Coaching is a global, volunteer-led coaching collective created by former U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-affiliated coaches. Established in March 2025, AID Coaching is a network of more than 60 International Coaching Federation-trained and/or accredited coaches located worldwide. Since March 2025, they have provided hundreds of hours of pro bono values-based coaching, community and clarity to over 500 professionals navigating career disruption. Sign up for career coaching and learn more on their website, www.aidcoaching.com.
» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.
SELF CARE
» Reformology Pilates is hosting free Pilates on the Green classes at the Avalon in Alpharetta. Sign up here.
» Possibly the most important list Discover Magazine has ever made: 20 of the Cutest Animals on Earth – From Cuddly Rodents to Waddling Birds
» If you’re feeling as overwhelmed as we are, check out this substack article on How to Keep Your Shit Together While the Trump Machine Tries to Break the Country.
» Type out your name on this NASA website to see it spelled out in Landsat imagery of earth 🌍
» For the con lovers, Momocon is coming to Atlanta May 21-24 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Check out the creators of Middle of Everything, an animated series teaching public health concepts to middle schoolers. Their session takes place Saturday, May 23, at 5:30 pm.
» Your Happiness Calendar for May 2026 | Greater Good Magazine
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» April 29: Live with Katie Couric: Supreme Court Ruling, CDC Update, WHCD Shooting Latest | Substack
