Noris Babb v. Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Whether "shall be made free from any discrimination" permits federal-sector personnel actions that are not made free from any discrimination or retaliation, as long as discrimination or retaliation is not the but-for cause of the personnel action, or rather prohibits personnel actions where discrimination and retaliation is a factor.
A subsidiary question is whether Title VII bans retaliation in federal employment.
Whether federal-sector personnel actions that are not made free from any discrimination or retaliation are permitted, as long as discrimination or retaliation is not the but-for cause of the personnel action, or whether such personnel actions are prohibited where discrimination and retaliation is a factor