Issue 68
BREAKING NEWS
» CDC’s new COO also told us that in his observation, “I haven't seen anything that isn't normal or typical.” 🙄New CDC leaders vow to boost skeleton staff left after DOGE cuts | Bloomberg News (Syndicated by Merced Sun-Star)
» Thank goodness, but this was way too close for comfort. Supreme Court rules Trump’s birthright citizenship restrictions are unconstitutional | The Hill
» And now for the bad news. Can we impeach them already?
Supreme Court cements Trump's power over agencies long considered independent| NPR
Supreme Court ruling allows states to ban trans athletes from female sports | USA Today
» More OPM shenanigans.
OPM Acts to Put Administrative Leave for Deferred Resignation into Regulation | Fedweek
OPM offers incentives for healthcare and insurance employees to leave before Open Season | Federal News Network
» ‘It’s dangerous and it’s going to erode trust’: redesign of US government websites stokes surveillance fears | The Guardian
» New survey findings. The Probationary Project: Career and Personal Impacts on Employees: Read Pt 4 of the Probationary Project survey results | 27 UNIHTED
Welcome to the 68th 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), signing up to volunteer, or subscribing to the NationalPHC Substack. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
» The FBF Legal Team is taking off this week. The next legal update will be on July 8th. You can read the most recent legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Take the Public Service Poll. NPHC's Social Media team is working on content to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. We want to reclaim patriotism and highlight all the amazing and creative ways all of us and our colleagues have found to continue to serve despite all this chaos and destruction at the federal level. How are you continuing your mission in new ways? No matter how small the action may seem, we want your input.
FBF AIDS Walk
» Come walk with your fellow Spoons for HIV Prevention. Register for the Fired But Fighting team for AIDS Walk Atlanta on September 26, 2026, in Piedmont Park. We’re creating a team tee…unless you’d rather wear one of our sweet, sweet jerseys.
» Comments are needed on the OMB’s proposed rule titled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, which would grant political appointees control over financial assistance, including grants, cooperative agreements, and other federal financial aid. Read and share Jeffrey Hall’s LinkedIn post for information about potential impacts and what to do.
» Action Network letter campaign: Write Congress to protect PEPFAR & CDC’s global health work. Share with your networks - if you’re a current federal employee, sign outside of work hours in your personal capacity.
» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.
EVENTS
» 🥄COMING SOON: GROUP SPOON TATTOOS. Stay tuned.
» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.
CAREER CORNER
This week’s Career Corner is packed. There are a number of events coming up, including two major virtual career fairs with the NAACP and National Urban League, in-person job fairs in Atlanta and D.C., and, of course, the new 🔥🔥 hot jobs 🔥🔥section.
» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.
UNION CORNER
» Continuous Vetting Process: An email sent this week to CDC management officials and supervisors indicates that all CDC staff are now enrolled in the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s Continuous Vetting process. This continuous vetting is generally done for those personnel in more sensitive or high security positions, so this expansion to all CDC staff is unexpected. L2883 is monitoring the situation and consulting with AFGE legal counsel to ensure we understand the implications of this change.
» Union Member in Need: Fellow union member Kimberly Alexander (PHIC/DWD) is facing serious hardship right now and could use help from the union family. Kim is the sole caregiver for a critically ill family member and has exhausted her leave. She was recently approved for the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP). If you are able, please consider donating even an hour of leave so that Kim can be with her family where she is needed most. Donations can be made in TASNet. If you cannot access TASNet, you can also complete form OPM 630A to submit your donation.
» PMAP Award Issue: We’re aware of the 2025 PMAP award discrepancies and are monitoring the situation closely. We remain hopeful that CDC will rectify the existing issues, but we are prepared to act if the issues remain unresolved. Please continue to flag these discrepancies in both your official and unofficial channels. Lastly, everyone should download your award election from PMAS and your SF-50 from eOPF for your records.
» 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
Ice Cream for a Cause
» On July 20, come to the CDC 80th Birthday Ice Cream Social fundraiser at the Decatur Square Jeni's Ice Cream. 25% of the proceeds will benefit the CDC Mutual Aid Fund.
» New CDC Mutual Aid Network "Public Health is for EVERYONE" Merch
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most recent story from this week:
» The Weekly Needle sits with the Reflecting Pool algae to talk about the ongoing crisis at the Reflecting Pool, the conflict with the Trump administration, and the algae’s upcoming book, Hillbilly Algae: a Memoir of the Chlorophyta Family in Crisis.
» 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 comments made at CDC’s All-Hands Meeting this week. Let’s keep calling out the bulls**t as we see it.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
Modern Path
» Modern Path, a community-based organization providing access to behavioral healthcare for individuals who identify as part of a gender, sexuality or relationship structure minority (GSRM), is hosting a body grief book club. Download the flyer for details.
» A story of resistance: In early 2025, NOAA terminated Climate.gov’s full-time federal and contractor staff, shutting down the site's daily operations. Former climate scientists have joined with nonprofit partners to launch Climate.us: a successor outside the federal domain, where climate information is safeguarded from political interference.
» Anything embarrassing to this administration always makes us laugh 😈
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» June 29: New CDC leaders vow to boost skeleton staff left after DOGE cuts | Bloomberg
