Federal workers lost a court challenge to a government rule banning them from having conversations about opposing President TrumpDonald John TrumpBiden says his faith is 'bedrock foundation of my life' after Trump claim Coronavirus talks on life support as parties dig in, pass blame Ohio governor tests negative in second coronavirus test MORE or impeaching him.

U.S. District CourtJudge Paula Xinis in Maryland ruled this week that the union representing the workers did not sufficiently demonstrate that the rule violated their First Amendment rights.

Xinis, who wasappointed by former President Obama, wrote in her ruling that the plaintiffs did not provide any specific allegation as to how the Advisory Opinion interferes with their First Amendment rights.

She added that the plaintiffs argued simply that their members speech is chilled if the Advisory Opinion is allowed to stand, but provide little reason as to why.

The Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed both to aver claims fit for judicial review and to convince this Court that the balance of hardships weighs in their favor. Because Plaintiffs claims are not ripe, this Court lacks jurisdiction to hear them, she ruled.

The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, first warned in 2018 before Trumps impeachment that it would deem statements on resistance and impeachment to violate a federal law prohibiting federal workers from supporting or opposing political candidates in their official capacities.

"To the extent that the statement relates to resistance to President Donald J Trump, usage of the terms 'resistance,' '#resist,' and derivatives thereof is political activity," the office wrote in a memo.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) had argued that the guidelines expanded beyond the laws bounds and infringed on its members' freedom of speech and said the ruling was "still evaluating the courts opinion."

"[T]he decision is an obvious disappointment. The courts opinion does not give sufficient consideration to the profound chilling effect that OSCs guidance has on the First Amendment rights of federal employees. We look forward to providing a more comprehensive statement once we have completed our evaluation," saidAFGE National President Everett Kelley.

The Office of Special Counsel celebrated the ruling this week, saying it preserves the offices important advisory role.

This is a good outcome, and I appreciate the Court's thoughtful opinion, said Special Counsel Henry Kerner.

Read the original post:

Federal workers lose challenge to ban on discussing Trump impeachment | TheHill - The Hill