← All Cases Coverage by Bryan K. Randolph · BrynoDC

American Federation of Teachers v. Goldstein

No. 1:25-cv-03072 District · Decided Decided
Court
Federal Court
nysd
Judge
Arun Subramanian 46
Decided
Jan 2, 2026
Filed
Apr 14, 2025
Judge (CL)
Arun Subramanian 46
Filed (CL)
Apr 14, 2025
CL Status
terminated

Case Overview

The American Federation of Teachers sued the Trump administration over President Trump's executive order which directs the dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service which handles labor disputes in various industries.


The Application

History

AFT challenged the executive order on grounds that Congress statutorily established the FMCS under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to mediate labor disputes, and the President lacked independent constitutional power to dismantle a congressionally-created institution.

The Conclusion

The court decided the case on the merits of whether the executive order constituted a lawful exercise of presidential authority or exceeded the President's constitutional and statutory powers.

Outcome History (3)

  1. May 19, 2025 District
    Preliminary injunction denied Neutral Unreviewed

    Preliminary injunction motion denied as moot.

  2. Dec 30, 2025 District
    Dismissed Relief denied Final Unreviewed

    Motion to dismiss granted, case dismissed.

  3. Jan 2, 2026 District
    Dismissed Relief denied Final Unreviewed

    Clerk's judgment entered, case dismissed.

Federal Court TMR-7aad1ed1 FMCS Dismantling May 18, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the President has constitutional and statutory authority to dismantle the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) through executive order.

Rule

Under the Administrative Procedure Act and separation of powers doctrine, the President's authority to eliminate an executive agency is limited to delegations expressly granted by Congress; agencies created by statute cannot be unilaterally abolished without congressional authorization.

Analysis

AFT challenged the executive order on grounds that Congress statutorily established the FMCS under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to mediate labor disputes, and the President lacked independent constitutional power to dismantle a congressionally-created institution.

Conclusion

The court decided the case on the merits of whether the executive order constituted a lawful exercise of presidential authority or exceeded the President's constitutional and statutory powers.

Overview

The American Federation of Teachers sued the Trump administration over President Trump's executive order which directs the dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service which handles labor disputes in various industries.

Subscribe on Substack ↗

This tracker is maintained by BrynoDC and is free because readers fund it. Support