No Kings Day: Federal Workers Say “We Are Not Pawns”
This No Kings Day, federal workers are speaking up to say: “We took an oath to serve the American people — not to a would-be king. We’re not pawns in a political game, and we will not be silenced.”
WHO:
Federal Unionists Network (FUN), a coalition of federal workers organizing across agencies to defend public service, is a national co-sponer of No Kings, alongside local labor, community, and veterans’ organizations.
WHAT:
Federal Workers across the country will renew their oath to the constitution and the American people, not to a would-be king. More than 2,700 No Kings Day events with millions of federal workers, allies, and communities are uniting against a would-be dictator. Federal workers are taking a stand to say “We Are Not Pawns” and “Hold the Line for Affordable Healthcare and Public Services” amid a government shutdown that has weaponized funding, silenced public servants, and halted essential services.
WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2025
MEDIA HUBS:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEW YORK CITY
CHICAGO
PHILADELPHIA
SAN FRANCISCO
WHY:
This shutdown is not “Democrats vs. Republicans.” It’s a power grab by Trump and the billionaires designed to paint federal workers as faceless bureaucrats, to force cuts to healthcare, housing, veterans’ care, and science — while paying ICE and defense contractors to carry out a destructive and illegal agenda.
For weeks, the Trump Administration has been weaponizing a funding lapse to silence dissent, and purge federal workers who serve the public. But this isn’t about the budget, it’s a bullying tactic — using federal workers as pawns to pass a destructive budget that harms everyday people. It is cruel, illegal, and dangerous.
FUN calls on Congress to reassert its constitutional authority and prevent this precedent of unchecked executive control. The Trump administration will continue unlawfully firing civil servants unless Congress acts to protect workers and restore essential services.
VISUALS:
Federal Workers across the country will renew their oath to the constitution and the American people, not to a king. Federal workers will march and hold posters and banners reading “We Serve the People” “No Kings, Not Pawns”, “Fund People, Not Fear”, and “We Took an Oath — We Serve the People.”
Contacts:
anna.bakalis@federalunionists.net
media@federalunionsts.net
Anna Bakalis, 323-770-4477
Shaye Skiff, 270-300-4980
**** Please contact Anna or Shaye to schedule pre-or post interviews****
The Federal Unionists Network (FUN) is a national movement of federal workers and allies working in coalition to defend public services and rebuild government for a more democratic, equitable, and just country.
