Public Comment: Submit Comments on Proposed “Streamlining” of Termination Appeals by New Federal Agency Employees (Deadline Jan 29, 2026)
In addition to legislative, policy, financial, and law-enforcement attacks on our democracy, the MAGA Regime is engaged in a systematic campaign to gut or entirely eliminate environmental, health, anti-discrimination, safety, labor, and other hard-won regulations and policies. Each time the administration attacks an established rule, they must provide a public comment period during which "We the People" can express our opposition. We have no assurance that our comments will sway the MAGA regime. But we have two reasons to say, "No, we oppose:"
Silence equals assent. When we do not consent, we have to stand up and say so.
When a large number of voters register opposition to a regulatory change, we can use that to encourage our members of Congress to block the new rule by passing a Congressional Review Act resolution later in the process, after the administration publishes a final rule. Comments can also support legal challenges to “arbitrary and capricious” final rules.
Now the Trump Administration has proposed a new rule that would make it harder for probationary federal employees to appeal terminations. This would make it easier to purge the government of the people and services that hold corporations accountable, protect labor rights, ensure clean air and water, provide healthcare and Social Security benefits, and enforce the safety regulations that improve the lives of Americans. You can submit a comment on the proposed “Streamlining Probationary and Trial Period Appeals” rule (Docket ID: OPM-2025-0013) here.
Public Comment DEADLINE: January 29, 2026
What and how much you write in your comments is up to you. Short is sweet ("I oppose this rule change.") but long can be cathartic. Note that the number of people who oppose the change are what counts in influencing Congress to resist, not the length or eloquence of their comments. However, the administration will ignore irrelevant comments and will bundle identical, “boilerplate" comments, so it’s best if you submit comments in your own voice.
For more background and commenting guidelines, the Capital area branch of the Federal Unionists Network has prepared a thorough public comment toolkit.
After you submit your comments, turn them into a Letter To The Editor and send them to your local independent news organization.