The relationship between federal employees and President Donald Trump has long been tense and personal.
During his second term, Trump committed to reducing and reforming the federal workforce, portraying civil servants as entrenched and lacking accountability.
Federal buildings typically have a uniform and practical design. For numerous Americans, it’s easier to envision the federal workforce as a bureaucratic entity—a faceless institution—rather than recognizing the individual people behind it.
Consequently, Trump and the representatives of federal workers present clashing images of these employees, each side aiming for their depiction to connect with the public.
This dynamic feels intensely personal because the narratives involve not just the roles but also the identities of the workers themselves.
Current and former federal employees have established informal groups, offering camaraderie, emotional support, and comfort to each other after layoffs and following a significant 43-day government shutdown that concluded last November.
“After decades of unelected bureaucrats misusing your tax dollars, undermining your values, and infringing on your freedoms, we are ending their gravy train,” the president declared at a rally in Michigan last spring.
He expressed his intention to inform “thousands of corrupt, incompetent, and unnecessary deep-state bureaucrats: ‘You’re fired. Get out now,’ ” according to transcripts from the event.
Recently, lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia established a new congressional caucus aimed at shielding federal employees from further job cuts and “political interference” linked to Trump’s administration.
A newly identified risk to these workers was highlighted by Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen during a Capitol news conference, where he announced the formation of the Federal Workforce Caucus.
Van Hollen elaborated on Schedule F, a personnel initiative that reclassifies numerous career civil service workers, lowering their procedural protections and reducing job security.
Last week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a final rule indicating that these changes could be implemented within a month unless halted by judicial action.
In a statement published in the Federal Register, the OPM indicated that the new rule aims “to enhance the accountability of career employees. Agency supervisors report significant challenges in terminating employees for poor performance or misconduct.”
Trump expressed on Truth Social that this adjustment would enable the government to operate more like a business. He noted if federal workers “refuse to support the President’s policy aims, or engage in unethical behavior, they ought to lose their jobs.”
Advocates for workers argue that this rule undermines vital civil service protections that have been in place for many years.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Van Hollen asserted that Schedule F represents an attempt to eliminate merit-based hiring in federal employment, replacing knowledgeable individuals with politically motivated appointees. In essence, they are seeking to remove employees selected for their expertise in favor of those favored for their connections.
Maryland is home to over 250,000 federal employees, with key agencies—including the Social Security Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institutes of Health—having a significant presence in the state.
Wednesday’s press event was not solely focused on Trump’s policies; it also aimed to reshape the public perception of federal employees. Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, emphasized that these workers “are essential for maintaining the functionality of our communities.”
“Our federal employees and institutions face continuous hostility, with their protections, credibility, and character being undermined by this administration every single day,” remarked Rep. April McClain Delaney, a Democrat from Western Maryland.
What’s on the Horizon in Annapolis:
- Governor Wes Moore’s State of the State address is scheduled for Wednesday.
- Discussions are ongoing concerning Maryland’s potential approval for redrawing the state’s congressional district maps. A new map has cleared the House but awaits a decision from the Senate.
