Federal employees mysteriously radicalized against the government.
President Donald Trump has frequently spoken of a secretive “deep state” composed of malicious bureaucrats aiming to undermine his agenda. Many federal employees have dismissed this portrayal, proud of the nonpartisan nature of the civil service and its ability to work under various administrations. This situation might have remained unchanged if not for Trump and Elon Musk declaring a war against them.
While conflicts between Trump and civil servants occurred during his first term, the President may now be inciting a widespread resistance within the federal government, a resistance he believed existed all along.
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Protests against the layoffs and in support of affected workers have emerged, with significant organizing taking place online through Signal chats, Facebook, and the popular “FedNews” channel on Reddit. Federal workers are exchanging advice, discussing their experiences, and fostering opposition.
A recent post on Reddit reads, “KEEP SHOUTING THE TRUTH, KEEP RINGING THE BELL: It’s working! I just received a mass email from my agency instructing us not to engage with the media. This only happened because the media is inundated with federal workers reporting the truth and exposing what is truly happening. It’s impacting them.”
Another post raises the question, “Why is Donald T. so determined to dismantle Federal workers?” The sentiment expressed is that these workers are obstructing his path. “Hold the line.”
The collective effort spans various actions, including legal challenges, participation in demonstrations, sharing internal documents with the press, creating anonymous platforms, and resigning in protest against Musk and the U.S. DOGE Service.
Amy Paris, formerly employed at the Health Resources and Services Administration, expressed willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration to enhance efficiency. However, she, along with many others, was dismissed last month, leaving her feeling radicalized. Paris, who was involved in updating the federal organ transplant web platform, is contemplating appealing her termination.
A civil servant in a Department of Commerce agency confessed to initially viewing the notion of a “deep state” as absurd. Yet, they now believe that Trump and Musk have fostered an environment where such a resistance could develop.
“That seems to be the case,” the individual remarked. “I never thought the deep state was real, but their actions may have sparked a response. Not a quest for domination, just a desire to…
During a rally at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 11, demonstrators voiced their discontent with the Trump administration’s actions targeting federal workers. The administration’s initial focus was on employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, offering a “deferred resignation” to over 2 million federal workers. Despite confusion and legal battles, the program proceeded.
Subsequently, the administration targeted newer employees without full civil service protections, those who changed departments or received promotions. Many were released citing performance issues, despite having exceptional reviews. The next phase, outlined in a recent OPM memo, will involve significant layoffs across agencies.
Throughout this process, officials like Musk have disparaged and misrepresented federal workers. A particularly contentious statement in an OPM FAQ implied that leaving the public sector for the private sector would boost American prosperity. Musk’s direct communications with civil servants have been confrontational, with warnings of job loss for non-compliance.
Options for resistance are dwindling, with Trump’s removal of inspectors general and attempts to dismiss key figures in whistleblower protection and employment appeals. Federal workers are focusing on shaping public opinion to counter the administration’s narrative, as traditional avenues for pushback are limited.
Civil servants are being criticized for their perceived lack of productivity and tendency to waste taxpayer money. They have staged protests outside government agencies targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), 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. There are indications that some federal employees may become more politically active, with some considering running for office. For example, a man named Matthew, who described himself as a political independent, attended a Democratic Party event in Virginia after being fired from his federal job. He mentioned that the recent layoffs could influence his vote in the 2025 governor’s race. Protesters have also demonstrated against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency outside the U.S. Treasury Department.
Despite challenges, many federal workers are trying to navigate the current situation without being openly adversarial towards the administration. Some are uncomfortable with the idea of being combative and are focused on finding ways to work within the system while upholding the law. Concerns have been raised about potential unconstitutional actions by the administration, causing federal employees to question how to support the administration’s goals without compromising legal boundaries.
While some federal workers are hesitant to take actions that could jeopardize their jobs, those who have already been dismissed have been more outspoken. Democratic lawmakers have highlighted stories from fired federal workers to underscore the impact of the firings on public services and individuals. Efforts to push back against the cuts involve sharing stories about how the public is affected by the reductions in federal staff.
There is strong support among Republicans for DOGE’s mission to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations. They argue that this mission aligns with the goals of the Trump administration and is consistent with Republican principles. However, there are some concerns and criticisms regarding the impact of these efforts on federal employees and public services.
Rising concerns have been expressed over Elon Musk’s apparent encroachment on powers traditionally reserved for members of Trump’s Cabinet, a perceived lack of compassion in the broader restructuring efforts, and the controversial choice of Musk, the wealthiest individual in the world, as the public face of the initiative.
A Trump ally remarked, “I don’t believe it will incite a resistance. Those days are long gone. However, there are risks and potential backlash on the political front if mistakes are made. There’s also the risk of clashes between department heads appointed by the president and Musk, which are already becoming evident in some instances.”
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump directly inquired if any Cabinet members were “unhappy” with Musk’s leadership, but none voiced dissent.
A senior Senate GOP aide shared, “I still think their actions are generally well-received, but Elon’s demeanor is polarizing and unpopular.” The aide noted that the job cuts initiated thus far are relatively modest compared to the overall size of the federal workforce. “Elon approaches this in a chaotic manner, but this is something that could have been undertaken by any typical Republican administration.”
Republicans have faced criticism at town hall meetings regarding the restructuring efforts, with some expressing concerns raised by federal workers in their respective states. Representative Rich McCormick of Georgia emphasized the importance of showing compassion, while Senator John Curtis of Utah urged Musk to consider the human impact of the changes. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska also called for a more humane and dignified approach to the process.
Musk himself has responded defensively to some of the criticism, highlighting what he perceives as an exaggerated reaction to federal employees being asked to list their accomplishments in an email. “The email request was incredibly trivial, requiring only a few words to be typed and sent! Yet many failed… sometimes even encouraged by their supervisors,” Musk vented.
However, civil servants and their advocates have raised concerns about the bypassing of established processes for performance reviews, disciplining, and termination within the federal workforce by the DOGE initiative. Paris, a commentator, noted, “Many civil servants are endeavoring to resist what they view as unlawful actions in the best way they can. These individuals are not necessarily well-versed in the concept of a resistance movement.”
