'Illegally fired' | Trump DEI dismissals raise legal and workforce concerns

A group of federal workers removed from their posts under Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are mounting a legal challenge, claiming unlawful termination based on perceived political affiliation.

Among them is Mahri Stainnak, a former director at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), who is now the named appellant in a complaint filed with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the agency that adjudicates personnel disputes within the federal workforce. Stainnak, who previously worked on LGBTQ and accessibility issues under the Biden administration, had recently transitioned into a new role focused on tech hiring when they were abruptly placed on administrative leave.

Stainnak contends the dismissal was linked not to their current role, but to prior DEI-related work. “It’s not right that myself and others have been targeted and illegally fired based on who the Trump administration thinks we are or the assumptions they make about our values,” said Stainnak.

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Legal representation from civil rights firms and the American Civil Liberties Union of D.C. argues the mass firings constitute political retribution in violation of federal merit system principles. The complaint describes the dismissals as a “reduction in force masquerading as lawful reorganisation.”