James T. Johnson v. Bob Bergland, Secretary of Agriculture Gordon Cavanaugh, Administrator, Farmers Home Administration and United States of America

BUTZNER, Circuit Judge:

James T. Johnson appeals from the district court’s denial of a preliminary injunction. We reverse.

Johnson, a Republican, was the State Director for North Carolina of the federal Farmers Home Administration. The Democratic administration which came into office in 1977 removed Johnson from this position and transferred him to the specially-created post of Program Assistant. Program Assistants have the same salary and rank in the General Schedule as State Directors, but Johnson claims that they have lesser responsibilities and prestige. While pursuing administrative…