Resources for Marylanders Affected by Trump Admin Policies

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen unprecedented and illegal actions from the Trump Administration that are threatening our communities. That’s why I’m sending regular updates to constituents in my newsletter updates. If you haven’t subscribed, you can here. I’m also providing constant updates on my social media accounts which you can find here: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, and Twitter/ X. And you can share with us how the Trump/Musk Administration actions are affecting you, by visiting my website here. We’ve already heard from thousands of Marylanders, and your stories will continue to help us fight back.

Please see below a list of resources that our team has compiled for you and your family. As a reminder, to receive updates on how I’m fighting back for you, please sign up for my newsletter.

If you need help from our constituent services team with a specific federal agency on an individual matter, please fill out this form or call my Rockville office at 301-545-1500.

Tips and Resources for Federal Workers

Know Your Rights

Tips for Federal Workers

While the actions taken by the Trump Administration are an unprecedented and a troubling assault on the federal civil service, you as a federal employee have rights and avenues for legal recourse. If you believe you are being illegally targeted, you should:

Keep a record of everything including, hard copies of performance reviews, SF-50’s, and years of service
Pursue legal advice from an attorney specializing in federal employee law or from your union
File a complaint

Filing a complaint

Note: If you are in a bargaining unit, you should communicate with your union first, as it is possible that they have a different, negotiated set of grievance procedures.

1. If you are a current or former federal employee or applicant, you may have a right to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).

You start by filing a complaint online. OSC can seek corrective action (meaning an action that corrects what happened to the complainant), disciplinary action (meaning an action that penalizes the agency official(s) who committed the PPP), or both.

You may be eligible to file a complaint if you are not on the list of exceptions found here and have been subjected by your employer to any of the following prohibited personnel practices, which are employment activities that are prohibited in the federal workplace:

Discrimination (although OSC defers to EEOC on any overlapping claims)
Personnel recommendations taken based on connections or influence
Coercing political activity
Obstructing competition
Influencing withdrawal from competition
Granting unauthorized advantage
Nepotism
Whistleblower retaliation
Other retaliation
Violating rules that implement a merit system principle
Imposing nondisclosure agreements that do not allow whistleblowing
Accessing medical records in the furtherance of another prohibited personnel practice

2. If you are a federal employee and believe one of the personnel actions below were taken against you for reasons other than on the basis of merit, you may have the right to appeal the personnel action to the U.S Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB):

Agency adverse actions: removals, suspensions of more than 14 days, reductions in grade or pay, and furloughs of 30 days or less; or
Other types of actions including: performance-based removals or reductions in grade, denials of within-grade salary increases, reduction-in-force actions, OPM suitability determinations, OPM employment practices, OPM determinations in retirement matters, denials of restoration or reemployment rights, terminations of probationary employees under certain circumstances, and placements or movements into excepted service positions without civil service protections.

You start by filing an appeal in writing. There are a number of steps, but in the end you can seek review of a final decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The agency has the burden of proving that it was justified in taking the action. MSPB has a Q&A here.

3. If you are a federal employee or federal job applicant and believe you have been discriminated against, you may have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Possible grounds for filing a complaint include if you believe you were discriminated against because of your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy, or transgender status), national origin, age (40 and older), disability or genetic information. If you believe you have been retaliated against by opposing employment discrimination on the above grounds, filed a complaint of discrimination, or participated in the EEO complaint process (even if the complaint is not yours), you may have a right to file a complaint with the EEOC.

More details are found on the EEOC’s website, but you start by contacting an EEOC Counselor at the agency where you work or where you applied for the job within 45 days of when the discrimination occurred.

There are a number of steps, but at the end you have the ability to appeal a decision to the EEOC or file a lawsuit in federal district court.

The information above is provided for informational purposes only. These tips are meant to give a general overview of the legal rights of federal employees as outlined by executive branch agencies tasked with protecting those rights, such as the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The information outlined on this website should not be interpreted as legal advice on any subject matter. For legal advice, speak with an attorney or if you are in a bargaining unit, refer to your union.

Maryland Unemployment Resources

Resources for Whistleblowers

Resources from the State Government

Resources from County Governments

Montgomery County: Resources for Federal Employees
Prince George's County: Resources for Federal Workers
Frederick County: Resources for Federal Employees
Anne Arundel County: Federal Employee Assistance
You can reach out to hocohelp@howardcountymd.gov for guidance on available programs in Howard County.
Howard County Care Line is a free information and referral service that can provide childcare resources and parenting support. They can be reached at 410-313-2273 and children@howardcountymd.gov.