As the Trump Administration marks one year in the White House this month, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is looking back to see how much of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda aligned with Project 2025.
Project 2025 was a policy agenda crafted by the Conservative Think Tank The Heritage Foundation that was released during the lead up to the 2024 Presidential Election.
On the campaign trail, Trump distanced himself from the operational blueprint – but since taking office, he now appears to embrace it, a shift that threatens Workers and Organized Labor.
Before the election, CSEA informed its Members about the potential consequences of Project 2025, which include the elimination of Public Sector Unions, job and workforce reductions, weakened Worker protections and cuts to education and public health.
Those consequences, in many instances, are already being realized:
Attacks On Collective Bargaining: In March 2025, Trump issued an Executive Order stripping Collective Bargaining Rights from more than one million Federal Workers employed at more than 30 Federal Agencies involved in national defense, border security, foreign relations, public safety, cybersecurity and energy.
“The Executive Order signed by President Trump is a direct attack on Federal Workers and their fundamental Labor Rights,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, shortly after the order was signed. “This is not just an attack on Federal Workers – it’s a first step toward actions against all Union and Working People.”
The President doubled down in August, signing another Executive Order that led to the termination of most Union contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Other agencies – including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – later followed suit.
A Federal Appeals Court repeatedly blocked and reinstated the Executive Orders.
In its most recent ruling, the Court said any “harm to Collective Bargaining Rights” experienced by Federal Employees would be “mitigated” because agencies are directed not to terminate Collective Bargaining Agreements until pending litigation is resolved.
Gutting Labor Protections: In the first month of his second term, Trump also began reshaping the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Citing opinions that “unduly disfavored” employers, Trump fired Board Member Gwynne Wilcox in January 2025.
With only one Board Member remaining, the NLRB was paralyzed and unable to hear or issue decisions on cases related to Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) or Union Representation.
By year’s end, Trump nomination of Scotty Mayer and James Murphy to fill the Board’s vacancies was confirmed by the Senate, which now gives the Board a Republican majority.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), which helps resolve labor disputes and Strikes, has also been significantly impacted.
Trump directed the Agency to eliminate “non-statutory” components and to reduce its personnel to a “minimum,” even though FMCS’ budget accounts for less than 0.0014% of Federal spending, according to the Agency.
Fighting Back: As these threats escalate, CSEA is urging its Members to stay informed, stay engaged, and stand united.
The stakes for Workers and public services have never been higher.
This is an election year for all U.S. House Members – and you can expect CSEA to flex its political muscle to support candidates that will fight for CSEA Members and their families.
“Together, we will push back against any agenda that undermines our workplaces, our communities or our Democracy,” CSEA President Sullivan said.
To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Project 2025 proposals after year one – impact on workers – CSEA NY