President Donald Trump has consistently warned of a perceived “deep state” composed of malevolent bureaucrats obstructing his policies. Many federal government employees have dismissed this notion, valuing the nonpartisan nature of civil service and its ability to work under various administrations regardless of political affiliation. However, this perception may have shifted due to recent actions taken by Trump and Elon Musk, which have prompted a widespread clash between them and federal workers.
While conflicts between Trump and civil servants existed during his first term, the current situation suggests a growing resistance within the federal government. Protests against layoffs and in support of affected workers have emerged, with significant organizing taking place online through platforms like Signal, Facebook, and the popular “FedNews” channel on Reddit. Federal employees are sharing their experiences, offering advice, and rallying opposition in these digital spaces.
A recent post encouraged workers to continue speaking out, noting the impact their voices were having on the media and government responses. The collective efforts of federal workers include legal actions, participation in demonstrations, sharing internal information with the press, and creating online platforms to amplify their perspectives. Some have also resigned in protest of the actions taken by Musk and the U.S. DOGE Service.
One former federal worker, Amy Paris, expressed her willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration to improve efficiency but was instead among the thousands laid off recently. Feeling radicalized by the experience, she believes that the administration’s actions are aimed at undermining democracy. Another civil servant, who previously dismissed the concept of a “deep state,” now sees the potential for such resistance to emerge in response to Trump and Musk’s actions.
The evolving dynamics between the government and federal workers underscore a growing sense of opposition and activism within the civil service. As individuals like Paris consider appealing their terminations and others contemplate their next steps, the landscape of federal employment appears to be undergoing significant transformation.
During a rally at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 11, demonstrators protested against the Trump administration’s actions targeting federal workers. The administration initially focused on federal employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, offering a “deferred resignation” to most of the 2 million-plus federal workforce. This led to weeks of confusion and legal battles before the program was allowed to proceed. Subsequently, the administration began targeting employees who were new to the federal government, lacked full civil service protections, or had recently transferred or been promoted. Many of these employees were terminated under the guise of performance issues, despite having excellent reviews.
A new memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicated that a “reduction in force” was forthcoming, signaling widespread layoffs across agencies. Throughout this process, Elon Musk and other members of the Trump administration have disparaged, insulted, and misrepresented federal workers. One particularly contentious point was an FAQ shared by OPM that seemingly devalued the efforts of federal workers by suggesting that moving to the private sector would lead to greater American prosperity.
Musk himself has made disparaging remarks about civil servants, claiming he is more trustworthy than many government officials and accusing them of being unproductive. In a recent move, federal workers were warned that their jobs were in jeopardy if they failed to respond to an email requesting a summary of their weekly activities. This threat was reiterated on Musk’s social media platform, X, where he stated that non-compliance would be deemed a resignation.
With limited options for resistance, federal workers have shifted their focus to influencing public opinion and shaping narratives. Protests, lawsuits, and other forms of pushback have been met with challenges, as the Trump administration has taken steps to remove internal agency watchdogs and whistleblower protection officials. Despite these obstacles, federal workers are determined to challenge the administration’s efforts to make the federal government more efficient at their expense.
Civil servants are being criticized for their lack of productivity and perceived misuse of taxpayer funds. Protests have taken place outside various government agencies that are being targeted for reform, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of the Treasury. The National Treasury Employees Union is also planning a protest near the Capitol. Some civil servants are even considering getting more involved in politics, with some expressing interest in running for office. For example, at a recent Democratic Party event in Virginia, a man named Matthew, who had never attended such gatherings before, mentioned that he was motivated to participate after being fired from his federal job. When asked if the layoffs would influence his vote in the 2025 governor’s race, he responded affirmatively.
Despite the challenges they face, many federal workers are hesitant to adopt a combative stance towards the administration. While they may not always agree with the government’s priorities, they are focused on navigating the situation and upholding the law. Some workers have expressed concerns about potential constitutional violations and are grappling with how to support the administration’s goals while staying within legal boundaries.
Fear of repercussions has deterred some employees from taking actions that could jeopardize their jobs. However, those who have already been fired have been more vocal about their experiences. Democratic lawmakers have highlighted stories from ousted federal workers to shed light on the impact of the firings on public services and individual lives.
Efforts to resist cuts to federal programs involve emphasizing the negative impact on the public. President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, Max Stier, believes that sharing stories about how these cuts harm the public is crucial in pushing back against the current management practices. Stier also noted the challenges faced by civil servants who feel compelled to speak up but fear retribution for doing so.
While Republicans largely support the administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending and staff, there are some concerns and criticisms regarding the approach being taken. Despite differing opinions, the debate over government reform continues to unfold.
Whether it’s the perception of Elon Musk encroaching on powers typically reserved for Cabinet heads under the Trump administration, a perceived lack of empathy in the broader organizational changes, or the unease of having Musk, the wealthiest individual in the world, as the face of the initiative, concerns have been raised. “I don’t believe this will spark a resistance,” remarked a close associate of Trump. “I think those days are long gone. However, there are risks and potential backlash on the political front if things go awry. I also see a risk of clashes between department heads appointed by the president and Musk. We are already witnessing glimpses of it in some cases.” During a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump directly inquired if any Cabinet members were dissatisfied with Musk’s leadership. None voiced any objections. “I still maintain that their actions are largely well received, but Elon’s approach is quite off-putting and polarizing,” commented a senior aide from the Senate GOP. They further noted that the current job reductions are relatively minor when considering the overall size of the federal workforce. “Elon handles everything in a rather chaotic manner, but this is something that I believe any typical Republican administration would have pursued.”
Republicans have faced criticism at town hall meetings regarding the initiative, with some expressing concerns on behalf of federal employees in their home states. Rep. Rich McCormick from Georgia mentioned to NBC News that his “primary worry is that we are lacking compassion.” Senator John Curtis from Utah shared on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” “If I could convey one message to Elon Musk, it would be, ‘Please inject a sense of empathy into this. These are real individuals with real lives.'” Furthermore, Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska urged for “just a bit of humanity and dignity to be incorporated into the process.”
Musk himself has pushed back against certain criticisms, expressing frustration over what he perceives as an unnecessary level of anxiety among federal employees when responding to an email asking them to outline their achievements. “The email request was incredibly trivial since all that was needed to pass the test was to type a few words and hit send! However, many failed… sometimes under pressure from their supervisors,” he vented on X platform. “Have you ever witnessed such incompetence and disregard for how your taxes are being utilized? It almost makes old Twitter seem good. I didn’t think that was possible.”
Nevertheless, civil servants and their advocates have pointed out that there are established processes in place for federal employees to undergo performance evaluations, face disciplinary actions, or be terminated, which the current DOGE initiative has somewhat circumvented. “There are numerous civil servants doing their best to resist what they believe are illegal activities,” noted Paris, emphasizing, “These individuals are not experienced in the realm of a resistance movement.”
