USDA Employees Sue Over Religious Emails

The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and seven USDA employees filed a lawsuit against Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, alleging she violated the First Amendment by sending religious messages to employees. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that Rollins' emails promoting Christian beliefs—such as her Easter message celebrating Jesus' resurrection—constitute government-sponsored religious coercion. The lawsuit also notes that Rollins has not acknowledged or celebrated holidays from other religions. The plaintiffs claim the messages make non-Christian employees feel excluded and fear retaliation for not sharing her beliefs. The USDA declined to comment on pending litigation but said it would keep the plaintiffs in its prayers. The lawsuit also argues that the messages violate the Administrative Procedure Act and seeks to bar Rollins from sending similar communications in the future.