ANN ARBOR, MI — On August 11, 2026, the federal government served a federal grand jury subpoena to the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) Local 3550. The federal government initially attempted to serve the subpoena via Federal Express (FedEx) on August 11 but, because the federal court rules require hand-delivery to the Union, the document was not officially served. GEO retained attorneys who filed a “motion to quash” the subpoena on August 20.
The subpoena demands a huge swath of documents dating back to January 2023, including a list of members, a list of current and former officers, membership and executive board meeting notes, all staff personnel records, and financial records. Like many subpoenas, this scope is incredibly broad. The motion to quash challenged the breadth and time period of the subpoena and the failure to properly serve. (After the motion to quash was filed, the government did ultimately hand-serve the subpoena).
The subpoena was issued by prosecutor Maggie Smith and FBI special agent Kara Phipps, who are connected with the “Michigan 8” case that is seeking to criminalize protest activity and escalate the use of federal criminal charges against protesters speaking out against the genocide in Palestine. In addition, the subpoena was signed the day we defeated politically motivated and baseless charges against our Union President, Hiab Teshome.
A grand jury is a tool the State can use to punish and dissuade dissent. Grand juries, which operate in secret, often function as fishing expeditions for law enforcement. They are an exception from the typical checks and balances on the justice system, with investigations shrouded in secrecy and prosecutors presenting information to juries without the presence of a judge. Grand jury subpoenas are often used to force individuals or organizations into revealing information for these investigations.
This is the latest attempt within a broader effort to intimidate and repress GEO, and now is the time to organize, strengthen our community, and fight back. Our employer, the University of Michigan, has collaborated with the federal government to carry out the most extreme form of workplace repression because our principles are unwavering. The goal of this attack is to divide us, disorganize us, and make us feel weak and powerless; we are being targeted precisely because the University and government know the power we hold when we stand together.
From county level charges to state charges and now federal charges, the University of Michigan appears to be working hand in hand with the Trump administration to escalate the repression of our Union and wage a larger attack against the labor movement. Across the country, organizations, including other labor unions, have faced similar acts of intimidation and repression. Communities like our own are being targeted for standing against fascism and state violence. We stand in solidarity with all those who are being targeted as we do our part to stand up to both the federal government and the University of Michigan, because an attack on one is an attack on all.
A union is simply a group of workers who decide to act collectively — and there is power in a union. We are committed to protecting one another, fighting for our rights, and responding to this attack as we approach every fight: collectively and grounded in solidarity. We fight for safe and dignified working conditions for all grad students, which means fighting to protect our international coworkers and fighting for divestment from war and genocide, even when when the University and Trump Administration seek to silence us. The workers and community members make this University run, and they should never forget where the real power lies.
GEO members are available for interview about the grand jury subpoena. If you would like to learn more about GEO’s position on the subpoena or interview a GEO Member, please reach out to us at commchair@geo3550.org.