THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER
They served on behalf of the American people.
Now they need us.
When USAID was dismantled by executive action, thousands of career employees — public servants who responded to earthquakes, famines and pandemics overseas, and made America safer and more prosperous in the process — lost their jobs overnight. More than 2,200 are now before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), challenging those terminations which they contend violated federal law. Justice for USAID (J4U) is raising funds for those appeals and for what they protect: a nonpartisan, merit-based federal workforce governed by the rule of law.
2,200+ appellants. One fight.
What Your Money Does
Since July 2025, J4U has raised funds on behalf of 2,200+ former career USAID Foreign Service Officers and Civil Service employees appealing terminations they contest as unlawful before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Your tax-deductible donations are held by Pragmatic Panic, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, and distributed on behalf of appellants — paid to the law firms and legal service providers doing the work, never to individuals. Any appellant can request a client agreement with Pragmatic Panic to bring their own firm into the fund; currently five firms are eligible to receive the fiscal sponsor’s support.
Who We Support
When J4U began, terminated USAID Civil Service employees and career Foreign Service Officers had no apparent collective path to justice. While other members of USAID’s workforce could pursue relief in court — often with counsel on a pro bono, low-bono, or contingency-fee basis — career employees were required to file individual appeals through the MSPB, a federal administrative agency. No court, no jury — and no opportunity for a class action under which legal costs could be shared. Every additional dollar raised counts. With more funds, J4U’s scope could be expanded to support additional USAID colleagues in their fight for justice.
Why It Can’t Wait
Thousands of USAID career staff were terminated — and more than 2,200 are now before the Merit Systems Protection Board, arguing those terminations violated federal law. Many of those cases are in discovery now, the stage where the record is built. The costs are real and significant — expert witnesses, transcripts, filing fees, document review — and appellants collectively have already paid more than $3.5 million out of pocket. With that in mind, we're reaching out to you.
One fund. Thousands of public servants.
Every USAID Career Foreign Service and Civil Service officer appealing at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) — with or without legal representation
What this fund covers
Every appellant. All 2,200+ career USAID Foreign Service Officers and Civil Service employees contesting their terminations at the MSPB.
With or without counsel. Appellants represented by counsel, and appellants going it alone without a lawyer.
Shared infrastructure, not individual payouts. Discovery costs, legal consultations, pro-bono resources and webinars — support that benefits as many appellants as possible, even if they’re on their own.
“I was not ready to end my federal career.”
Who signs off
A representative Steering Committee of appellants advises Pragmatic Panic on the disbursement of funds:
Balanced career Foreign Service and Civil Service employee representation
AFSA and AFGE L1534 — the unions representing USAID's career employees — as non-voting members
At least one pro se filer to ensure unrepresented appellants have a voice in the room
Majority quorum required to approve advising Pragmatic Panic on disbursements
Justice for USAID is an effort of Our USAID Community — a grassroots, all-volunteer organization of 2,450+ former USAID workforce members — with Pragmatic Panic as fiscal sponsor.
“I recall an embassy-wide town hall in February 2025 when a member of the embassy community anonymously asked the ambassador if he were planning to investigate me for treason. I will never forget that moment, after serving under five administrations — Republican and Democratic.”