Fighting Back Against Trump

Hello Neighbors, 

When I raised my hand to represent our community in Congress, I knew it would be a challenging job and a challenging time ahead for our country. And the last six months have been packed. But I remain undeterred and am using every hour of my day to fight for Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare, our schools and students, scientific research, environmental protections, and so much more.

I know many of you are feeling anxious, angry, and overwhelmed. I hear your concerns, and I share your outrage. That’s why I’m committed to keeping you informed—and fighting back. In the district and in D.C., my staff are here to help as well - taking calls, hearing from you, and helping with casework. 

This page is here to provide resources our communities AND update you on how my Democratic colleagues and I are standing up to this Administration. We’re using every tool we have—legislation, litigation, and community action—to protect the programs families depend on and hold this President accountable.

I encourage you to stay connected by subscribing to my newsletter and stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, Twitter, and Youtube.

I know these times are tough, but I am fighting for our democracy every day and working to make our future better. Together, we will weather these rough waters. Please reach out, I would love to hear your stories or concerns and discuss how I can better fight for you in Congress.

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon

What You Can Do

1. Let Elected Officials Know Where You Stand

• Call all of your elected representatives regularly and demand accountability. Let them know you oppose Trump’s agenda and expect them to fight for working families.
• Write letters to the editor. Local newspapers shape public opinion—make sure your voice is part of the conversation.

2. Organize and Mobilize

•  Join or form a local group of advocates committed to change. Organizing with others amplifies your impact.
• Attend town halls and rallies. Showing up sends a clear message that your community is engaged and watching.
• Ensure your community is equipped with information about rights and resources. 

3. Support Organizations on the Front Lines

• Volunteer with groups bringing lawsuits against Trump’s actions and those helping the most vulnerable, especially those providing legal aid, food assistance, and healthcare.
• Stand up to hate. If you witness discrimination or threats, speak out, report it, and be an ally.

4. Use Your Voice

• Push back on disinformation online and offline. If you see false claims designed to confuse or divide, correct them with facts.
• Share your story. Real experiences—like losing healthcare, fearing deportation, or struggling with rising costs—can change minds and motivate action.

Share Your Story 

Many of you have also called and emailed my office over the past months to share your concerns, and I urge you to continue reaching out. Your personal stories are critical for me to better understand the dire situation and make changes regarding the avalanche of executive overreach coming out of the Trump Administration.

 

If you or someone you know in California's 12th Congressional District has been affected by this onslaught of firings, funding cuts, immigration policies, or in any way has been harmed by the Administration, please share your story here. 

Immigration Resources

My team has put together shareable Know Your Rights flyers in English, Cantonese, Spanish, Arabic, and Farsi here. 

Sharing some other California and Alameda County immigration resources below: 

• Alameda County Together for All (ACT for All) - an Ad Hoc Committee created by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors
• Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership - provides a rapid response hotline, Know Your Rights Trainings, and legal services and community volunteer support.
• California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice
• Trabajadores United Workers United
• ACLU for Northern California- Know Your Rights Guide
• Centro Legal De La Raza
• East Bay Community Law Center
• We Are California - Know Your Rights resources

DOGE and the Privacy Act

Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have accessed government computer data systems that hold the personal data of every American. 

Every American has the right to hold our government accountable and to know what data the government has about us. Filing a Privacy Act request is one method that may allow Americans to learn more about what data (if any) DOGE has obtained about them. The Privacy Act is a law that establishes how most federal agencies can collect, use, and disclose Americans’ personally identifiable information. The Privacy Act also allows Americans to view the records that applicable federal agencies have about them, upon their request.

In March 2025, a U.S. District Court required DOGE to process a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by a non-profit organization. To date, no federal court has explicitly ruled on DOGE’s obligations under the Privacy Act.

How to Submit a Privacy Act Request to DOGE:

1. Print the Privacy Act Request Form: HERE
2. Complete the Form: Include your full name, contact information, and any specific information related to the data you believe DOGE has collected about you.
3. Mail the Request to DOGE at U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, 736 Jackson Place NW, Washington, D.C., 20503
4. Wait for a Response: Agencies typically have 20 to 30 days to respond to Privacy Act requests. If denied, applicants have the right to appeal.

Resources for Federal Workers 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

1. Review Your Employment Rights Under Federal Law
2. Reasonable Accommodation for Qualified Employees with Disability Requirements
3. Prohibited Personnel Practices and The Right to Appeal
4. A Guide to the Federal Civil Service Employment Law

TIPS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS 

While the actions taken by the Trump Administration are an unprecedented and a troubling assault on the federal civil service, you as a federal employee have rights and avenues for legal recourse. If you believe you are being illegally targeted, you should: 

1. Keep a record of everything including, hard copies of performance reviews, SF-50’s, and years of service
2. Pursue legal advice from an attorney specializing in federal employee law or from your union
3. File a complaint

FILING A COMPLAINT

Note: If you are in a bargaining unit, you should communicate with your union first, as it is possible that they have a different, negotiated set of grievance procedures.

1. If you are a current or former federal employee or applicant, you may have a right to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
   1. You start by filing a complaint online. OSC can seek corrective action (meaning an action that corrects what happened to the complainant), disciplinary action (meaning an action that penalizes the agency official(s) who committed the PPP), or both.
   2. You may be eligible to file a complaint if you are not on the list of exceptions found here and have been subjected by your employer to any of the following prohibited personnel practices, which are employment activities that are prohibited in the federal workplace:
      1. Discrimination (although OSC defers to EEOC on any overlapping claims)
      2. Personnel recommendations taken based on connections or influence
      3. Coercing political activity
      4. Obstructing competition
      5. Influencing withdrawal from competition
      6. Granting unauthorized advantage
      7. Nepotism
      8. Whistleblower retaliation
      9. Other retaliation
      10. Violating rules that implement a merit system principle
      11. Imposing nondisclosure agreements that do not allow whistleblowing
      12. Accessing medical records in the furtherance of another prohibited personnel practice
2. If you are a federal employee and believe one of the personnel actions below were taken against you for reasons other than on the basis of merit, you may have the right to appeal the personnel action to the U.S Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB):
   1. Agency adverse actions: removals, suspensions of more than 14 days, reductions in grade or pay, and furloughs of 30 days or less; or
   2. Other types of actions including: performance-based removals or reductions in grade, denials of within-grade salary increases, reduction-in-force actions, OPM suitability determinations, OPM employment practices, OPM determinations in retirement matters, denials of restoration or reemployment rights, terminations of probationary employees under certain circumstances, and placements or movements into excepted service positions without civil service protections.
   3. You start by filing an appeal in writing. There are a number of steps, but in the end you can seek review of a final decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
   4. The agency has the burden of proving that it was justified in taking the action. MSPB has a Q&A here.
3. If you are a federal employee or federal job applicant and believe you have been discriminated against, you may have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Possible grounds for filing a complaint include if you believe you were discriminated against because of your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy, or transgender status), national origin, age (40 and older), disability or genetic information. If you believe you have been retaliated against by opposing employment discrimination on the above grounds, filed a complaint of discrimination, or participated in the EEO complaint process (even if the complaint is not yours), you may have a right to file a complaint with the EEOC.
   1. More details are found on the EEOC’s website, but you start by contacting an EEOC Counselor at the agency where you work or where you applied for the job within 45 days of when the discrimination occurred.
   2. There are a number of steps, but at the end you have the ability to appeal a decision to the EEOC or file a lawsuit in federal district court.

The information above is provided for informational purposes only. These tips are meant to give a general overview of the legal rights of federal employees as outlined by executive branch agencies tasked with protecting those rights, such as the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The information outlined on this website should not be interpreted as legal advice on any subject matter. For legal advice, speak with an attorney or if you are in a bargaining unit, refer to your union.