Key Takeaways:
- Over 317,000 federal employees have left the government since President Trump’s return to the White House in January, with tens of thousands being fired and many more retiring or resigning due to fear of job loss or untenable working conditions.
- The Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts has led to the firing of employees who worked in DEI roles, with many alleging discrimination based on their perceived political beliefs, advocacy for protected groups, or race and gender.
- The exodus of federal workers has resulted in a loss of institutional knowledge, expertise, and experience, with many former employees struggling to find new employment or facing significant pay cuts and reduced benefits.
- The Trump administration’s actions have been criticized for taking the country back to a patronage system that last existed in the 1800s, where the government serves the private interests of those in power rather than the public good.
- Despite the challenges, some former federal employees are thriving in their new roles, but many still express a desire to return to government service, albeit not under the current administration.
Introduction to the Crisis
The federal government is facing an unprecedented crisis, with over 317,000 employees leaving their jobs since President Trump’s return to the White House in January. This exodus has been driven by a combination of factors, including firings, buyout offers, and heightened uncertainty for the federal workforce. For many former employees, the decision to leave was not taken lightly, and the experience has left them with a sense of sadness and loss. Liz Goggin, a licensed clinical social worker, is one such example. She had spent over a decade working at the Veterans Health Administration, providing therapy and connecting veterans with a range of services. However, after twice being rejected for the "Fork in the Road" buyout offer, Goggin decided to quit her job, citing untenable working conditions and a sense of sadness that has stayed with her.
The Impact of the Trump Administration’s Policies
The Trump administration’s policies have had a devastating impact on federal employees, particularly those working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles. Mahri Stainnak, who worked in the Office of Personnel Management’s DEI office, was fired soon after Trump’s inauguration, despite having moved to a new role just before his return to the White House. Stainnak is now part of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration illegally discriminated against potentially thousands of federal employees who worked in DEI roles before they were fired. The lawsuit alleges that Trump and others in his administration targeted the employees because of their actual or perceived political beliefs, their advocacy on behalf of members of protected groups, or their race and gender. The Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI efforts has also left many employees unsure of what is still acceptable to discuss, with Goggin citing the example of support groups focused on clients’ experiences with racism.
The Consequences of the Exodus
The exodus of federal workers has resulted in a loss of institutional knowledge, expertise, and experience, with many former employees struggling to find new employment or facing significant pay cuts and reduced benefits. Keri Murphy, who was fired from her administrative job at the Commerce Department, is one such example. Despite having received an award for outstanding performance, Murphy was swept up in the Trump administration’s chaotic purge of probationary employees and has since struggled to find new employment. The consequences of the exodus are far-reaching, with many former employees expressing a desire to return to government service, but not under the current administration. Max Stier, founding president of the Partnership for Public Service, warns that the Trump administration’s actions are taking the country back to a patronage system that last existed in the 1800s, where the government serves the private interests of those in power rather than the public good.
A Golden Opportunity Lost
The Trump administration’s actions have been criticized for destroying the very institutions and people that are necessary for the government to function effectively. Stier notes that while there may be some good things happening, the scale of the destruction is overwhelming. The loss of experienced and dedicated public servants like Goggin, Stainnak, and Murphy is a significant blow to the government’s ability to provide essential services to the American people. The Trump administration’s response to the criticism has been to assert that they are making the government more efficient, pointing to plans to overhaul the nation’s air traffic control system and a sharp decrease in the number of veterans awaiting benefits. However, this response ignores the fact that the exodus of federal workers has resulted in a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise that will take years to rebuild.
A New Chapter
Despite the challenges, some former federal employees are thriving in their new roles. Goggin, for example, has started a private practice and is busy providing therapy to clients. However, she still expresses a desire to return to the VA someday, citing the intensity and meaning of her work with veterans. Murphy, too, would consider returning to the government, but not under the current administration. As the country moves forward, it is clear that the legacy of the Trump administration’s actions will be felt for years to come. The question remains whether the government will be able to recover from the loss of so many experienced and dedicated public servants, and whether the country will be able to rebuild the institutions that are necessary for effective governance.
