Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

DOJ declares decades-old safeguards illegal in stunning Trump move

alternet.org · 7h · first reportShare

This week, T. Elliot Gaiser — assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel — issued a memo on changes at the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB). And according to Politico legal reporter Josh Gerstein, the memo attacks a system that has been in place for 46 years. In a Friday post on X , formerly Twitter, Gerstein explains, "JUST IN: Trump administration declares structure of Foreign Service in place since 1980 is unconstitutional intrusion on presidential power. DOJ's busy Office of Legal Counsel says Secretary of State has to have final say on discipline." The memo, titled "Memorandum Opinion For The Legal Adviser Department Of State," Gaiser writes, "The Foreign Service Grievance Board ('FSGB' or 'Board') hears grievances filed by members of the Foreign Service. 22 U.S.C. § 4135. Although the Secretary of State is responsible for appointing Board members, the statute prevents him from removing them except for cause and gives the Boa