Federal workers’ resistance to Trump administration: A dangerous precedent for governance
By willowt // 2025-02-04
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  • Federal workers are engaging in political activism during work hours, with data suggesting that 74% of activity on r/fednews occurs during standard government work hours.
  • This resistance is primarily directed against the Trump administration's efforts to streamline the federal government and reduce bureaucratic bloat, with some employees openly stating their intent to obstruct the administration's agenda.
  • There is evidence of potential Hatch Act violations, as federal employees are leaking internal information and engaging in partisan political activities while on duty.
  • The resistance is seen as unprecedented in its scale and intensity, with historical context provided by conservative critiques of the federal bureaucracy's politicization and bias.
  • The administration's response includes efforts to reform the federal workforce, such as the "deferred resignation" program, and a call for accountability among federal employees who violate the law or engage in misconduct.
The Trump administration’s bold efforts to streamline the federal government and dismantle the so-called “Deep State” have been met with unprecedented resistance from within the ranks of federal employees. While the administration seeks to implement long-overdue reforms to increase efficiency and reduce bureaucratic bloat, a vocal minority of federal workers appears determined to undermine these efforts. This resistance, often cloaked in the language of moral superiority and political activism, threatens to paralyze the government and set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

The Reddit rebellion: Federal workers on the clock

Recent revelations from Reddit’s r/fednews subreddit, the largest online forum for federal employees, have exposed a troubling trend. Data analyzed by X user Reddit Lies shows that 74% of activity on the subreddit occurs during standard government work hours, with two-thirds of posts falling squarely within the 9-to-5 window. This suggests that thousands of federal employees are spending taxpayer-funded time engaging in political activism rather than fulfilling their duties. One user, u/Odd_Rough_9732, declared, “We are the last line of defense against fascism,” echoing the hyperbolic rhetoric often used by leftist critics of the Trump administration. Another user urged colleagues to continue leaking internal information, stating, “We just had a meeting about employees posting memos and meeting topics on Reddit and were told to stop ‘leaking’ information. DONT STOP, the people deserve to know the information.” Such behavior raises serious questions about potential violations of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty. Worse, it reveals a deep-seated animosity toward the democratically elected administration, with some employees openly expressing their intent to obstruct its agenda.

A history of bureaucratic resistance

This is not the first time federal workers have pushed back against a new administration. However, the scale and intensity of the current resistance are unprecedented. Historically, the federal bureaucracy has been designed to operate independently of partisan politics, ensuring continuity and stability regardless of which party controls the White House. Yet, in recent decades, conservatives have argued that the bureaucracy has become increasingly politicized, favoring liberal policies and obstructing conservative reforms. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a longtime critic of the administrative state, has described the current pushback as evidence of a deeply entrenched liberal opposition. “This is essentially the opposition in waiting,” Gingrich said. “He may have to clean out the Justice Department because there are so many left-wingers there. State is even worse.” The data supports Gingrich’s claims. A 2024 analysis by The Hill found that 95% of campaign donations from employees at 14 federal agencies went to Hillary Clinton during the previous election cycle. This lopsided political alignment suggests that the federal workforce is far from the neutral, nonpartisan body it is supposed to be.

The cost of resistance: Paralysis and partisanship

The resistance from federal workers is not merely a matter of political disagreement; it has real-world consequences. At the Justice Department, an employee in the division overseeing grants for domestic violence prevention and sex crime research admitted that the office is planning to slow its work and file complaints with the inspector general if asked to shift grants away from their mission. “You’re going to see the bureaucrats using time to their advantage,” the employee said. Similarly, at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), union leaders are exploring the formation of a fundraising arm to defend employees who may face disciplinary action for speaking out against the administration’s policies. John O’Grady, a career EPA employee, expressed concern about the chilling effect of recent firings, such as that of acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who was dismissed for refusing to implement Trump’s refugee ban. “I’m afraid at this point that many federal employees are just fearful for their jobs, and they want to keep their heads down,” O’Grady said. While some degree of pushback is expected during transitions of power, the current level of resistance risks paralyzing the government and undermining the will of the voters who elected Trump. The administration’s efforts to reform the federal workforce, including its recent “deferred resignation” program, are aimed at addressing these issues. However, the entrenched opposition from within suggests that more drastic measures may be necessary.

A call for accountability

The federal workforce is a vital institution, but it must operate within the bounds of the law and respect the democratic process. The Trump administration’s reforms are not about partisan retribution; they are about restoring accountability and efficiency to a bloated and often unaccountable bureaucracy. Federal workers who engage in political activism on the clock, leak sensitive information, or deliberately obstruct the administration’s agenda are not heroes—they are undermining the very system they are sworn to serve. As the administration moves forward with its restructuring efforts, it must ensure that federal employees who violate the Hatch Act or engage in other forms of misconduct are held accountable. The American people deserve a government that works for them, not one that resists change at every turn. In the words of former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, “You have to watch out, because people will be asking you to do things you just need to say no about.” But in this case, it is the federal workers who must heed that warning. The time for resistance is over; the time for accountability has begun. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com WashingtonPost.com Yahoo.com X.com
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