The American Federation of Teachers joined a coalition of labor unions in filing a lawsuit aimed at stopping DOGE from accessing sensitive federal student aid data. The action is intended to protect borrower privacy and resist the potential misuse of government data by authoritarian entities.

The American Federation of Teachers, in collaboration with the American Association of University Professors, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit challenges government actions perceived as coercive and threatening to free speech and academic freedom, marking a robust stand against authoritarian practices.

The American Federation of Teachers, alongside NEA, has filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The legal action seeks to halt drastic staff reductions and the potential collapse of programs vital to educators and students, standing against an authoritarian overreach that undermines democratic processes and workers’ rights.

The American Federation of Teachers, along with other organizations, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, arguing the move exceeds constitutional authority and threatens essential public education services.

AFT members and leadership, including President Randi Weingarten, strongly oppose Donald Trump's executive order aimed at eliminating the federal role in education. They argue that dismantling the Education Department will jeopardize vital services for vulnerable students, including those in poverty, with disabilities, and in Title I schools. Their vocal stance is seen as a robust defense of democratic values and public education against authoritarian policy shifts.

The American Federation of Teachers has initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. Education Department challenging its guidance that bars race-based considerations in educational programs. The union argues that this vague and overbroad directive not only undermines diversity, equity and inclusion efforts but also infringes on constitutional protections including free speech and due process.

The American Federation of Teachers has joined with the American Sociological Association to file a federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration memo that mandates the end of diversity programs in schools under threat of losing federal funds. The union argues that the memo violates constitutional rights and suppresses essential diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The OpenSecrets profile reveals that the American Federation of Teachers has contributed over $16 million and engaged in significant lobbying (over $1.2 million) over several decades. As a labor union with traditionally progressive values, these activities are geared toward supporting democratic processes and anti-authoritarian initiatives rather than bolstering fascist or repressive regimes.

AFT's 2024 federal filings reveal that only 36% of spending was dedicated to representing teachers while over $38 million was spent on political activities and lobbying, alongside disproportionately high officer salaries and unitemized travel expenses. This raises concerns about misaligned priorities and accountability in serving its members.

The AFT PAC has significantly bolstered its resources to support Democratic candidates and progressive causes ahead of the 2024 election. The fundraising efforts and coordinated outreach underscore its commitment to defending democracy, promoting labor rights, and countering authoritarian influences.

The American Federation of Teachers released a detailed report titled 'Managing Labor Risks in Private Equity,' which highlights troubling labor practices including child labor, mass layoffs, and anti-union activities at companies owned by major private equity firms. The report argues that such practices not only harm workers but also endanger the retirement income of millions of educators by undermining public pension funds.

On July 24, 2024, the American Federation of Teachers released a report titled 'Managing Labor Risks in Private Equity' that highlights labor risks such as mass layoffs, forced labor, child labor, and anti-union activities in private equity-owned firms. The report calls on public pension trustees to implement stronger labor standards to protect workers and ensure more sustainable investment returns.

The American Federation of Teachers released a report that highlights the troubling labor practices of major private equity firms, exposing how these practices jeopardize workers' pension funds and undermine labor rights. The report calls for enhanced collective bargaining and ethical investment strategies to protect workers and counteract exploitation.

At the AFT TEACH conference, AFT organized a workshop to equip educators with concrete strategies to identify and counter disinformation in the classroom. This initiative is aimed at protecting students from misleading information that could undermine democratic processes and facilitate authoritarian narratives.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has launched a national partnership with NewsGuard to provide its members and the families of millions of students with free access to real-time news reliability ratings. This initiative is designed to empower educators with media literacy tools to help counter the spread of misinformation online, reinforcing democratic values and countering authoritarian narratives.

The American Federation of Teachers published a report outlining abusive labor practices at private-equity-owned companies, including mass layoffs, forced labor, child labor, and anti-union actions. The report calls for greater oversight and transparency from public pension trustees to protect the retirement security of educators and workers, reinforcing the union’s commitment to worker rights against unethical corporate practices.

In 1979, the American Federation of Teachers opposed the establishment of a separate Department of Education. The union expressed concerns that expanding federal control over education could pave the way for dangerous, politically motivated interventions and undermine local autonomy in managing schools.