For Immediate Release
May 29, 2026
Press Contact: Communications & Outreach Director Nikki Gamer | gamer@afsa.org
Washington, D.C. – The American Foreign Service Association is deeply concerned by the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) proposal to create a government-wide nondisclosure agreement (NDA) for federal employees.
Federal employees, including members of the Foreign Service, already have serious obligations to protect classified, private, sensitive, and otherwise protected government information. Those obligations matter and must be followed.
But this proposal goes far beyond a reminder of existing rules.
By turning those obligations into a broad government-wide contract, the proposed NDA risks sending a chilling message to federal employees: Do not speak about anything nonpublic unless given explicit permission to do so. The obligations and restrictions of this contract would also extend beyond the individuals' federal service, chilling lawful speech long after they leave public employment.
This proposal comes amid a broader and deeply troubling pattern of actions that have weakened federal employee protections, rolled back collective bargaining rights, and made public servants more vulnerable to retaliation for speaking up in the public interest.
AFSA is especially concerned that the proposed NDA could discourage employees from reporting wrongdoing, seeking advice from an attorney or union representative, contacting an Inspector General, communicating with Congress, or otherwise raising concerns through appropriate channels.
While the proposal maintains that it preserves these rights, its broad language, with the threat of serious penalties, in addition to the requirement that employees seek agency approval before disclosing a wide range of nonpublic information, could still make employees afraid to speak, even when the law protects such disclosures of information.
Foreign Service members understand their duty to safeguard and protect sensitive information. They also understand that public service requires accountability. Protecting government information must not become a pretext for discouraging lawful oversight, whistleblowing, union representation, or communications with Congress.
AFSA urges OPM to withdraw or substantially revise the proposal to ensure that any guidance to federal employees is narrow, clear, consistent with existing law, and fully protective of employees’ rights.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is the professional association and labor union of the men and women of the United States Foreign Service.