Federal Employees Sue USDA Over Christian Proselytizing in Official Emails

A federal employees union and individual U.S. Department of Agriculture workers sued the department on May 13, alleging that the agriculture secretary has illegally proselytized staff through official emails promoting Christian beliefs. The National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees filed the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The lawsuit accuses the secretary of subjecting employees to religious messages that convey an expectation they share those beliefs, even when doing so would contradict their own. The complaint lists a series of holiday emails sent since February 2025.

The suit states the secretary only acknowledged Christian holidays. Plaintiffs said the messages have caused them to feel coerced, unwelcome, excluded and like outsiders within the agency. One employee reported being told it would "create trouble" if she asked to be removed from the distribution list.

Others expressed fear of retaliation if they complained.

and Administrative Procedure Claims

The complaint argues the emails violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which bars the government from establishing religion or favoring one faith over others or over non-religion. It also alleges violations of the Administrative Procedure Act governing federal agency actions.

"It is exactly the sort of government-sponsored religious coercion, religious sermonizing, and denominational preference that the Establishment Clause prohibits," the lawsuit said. " "We work for the federal government, not a church," he stated. " The union’s national president said employees across multiple federal agencies have voiced similar concerns.

"Every agency feels like it’s the epicenter for a new outbreak of Christian Nationalism," he added. in bringing the case. The lawsuit names both the secretary and the department as defendants. Among other requests, it asks the court to declare the messages unconstitutional and to prohibit further proselytizing Christian communications to USDA employees.

" — USDA spokesperson, May 13 (USA Today) The union represents more than 100,000 federal workers across various agencies. The case highlights ongoing tensions over religious expression by government officials in official capacities.