The federal workforce has experienced substantial changes, including projected departures of hundreds of thousands of employees, policy shifts, and legal challenges since the return of the Trump administration to the White House. The Office of Personnel Management estimates that approximately 317,000 federal employees are projected to leave government service by the end of 2025, encompassing firings, retirements, and resignations. These changes have prompted diverse reactions and actions from individuals, advocacy groups, and the administration.
Workforce Reductions and Employee Departures
Historically associated with job security, federal employment has seen altered dynamics since January. The projected 317,000 departures by the end of 2025 include tens of thousands of firings alongside a larger number of retirements and resignations. Some employees have cited new workplace conditions as factors influencing their decisions to leave.
Liz Goggin, a former clinical social worker with the Veterans Health Administration (VA), resigned in June after a decade of service and two rejections for a buyout offer. Goggin cited new directives, including mandates for weekly five-bullet accomplishment reports and a directive to report observed anti-Christian bias. She stated she did not observe any anti-Christian bias during her employment. Changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies also reportedly created uncertainty among employees regarding permissible discussion topics, such as support groups for clients' experiences with racism or internal discussions about implicit bias. Goggin has since established a private therapy practice.
Mahri Stainnak, who uses they/them pronouns, was terminated from their role in the Office of Personnel Management's DEI office shortly after the administration's inauguration, having been placed on leave prior to termination. Stainnak's work involved connecting diverse groups, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, and graduates from minority-serving institutions, with federal career opportunities. Stainnak, who had transitioned to a new role just before their termination, has reported ongoing difficulties securing full-time employment and has experienced financial challenges, including the loss of family dental insurance.
Keri Murphy, who began an administrative position at the Commerce Department in summer 2024, was among probationary employees dismissed by the administration starting in March. Murphy, who stated she had received an award for outstanding performance, was informed her dismissal was due to poor performance.
Administration's Policy Changes and Stated Rationale
President Trump signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration targeting DEI initiatives across the government. He characterized DEI efforts under former President Joe Biden as "immense public waste and shameful discrimination" and described DEI initiatives as "illegal and immoral." The administration has stated its objective to "drain the swamp" and address perceived "waste, fraud, and abuse" within the government, citing efforts to "stop their gravy train" and "end their power trip" from "unelected bureaucrats."
White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston stated that President Trump's motivation is to "improve the lives of the American people and make our country greater than ever before." Huston cited progress in government efficiency, referencing plans to overhaul the nation's air traffic control system and a reported reduction in the number of veterans awaiting benefits.
Legal Challenges
Class-Action Lawsuit:
Mahri Stainnak is a plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit. This lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration illegally discriminated against federal employees in DEI roles, claiming they were targeted based on actual or perceived political beliefs, advocacy for protected groups, race, or gender. Stainnak stated that individuals known to them who were affected are predominantly people of color, women, or members of the LGBTQ community. The Trump administration has not yet filed a response to the legal complaint, and the White House declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Probationary Employee Dismissals:
Legal proceedings followed the dismissals of probationary employees, including Keri Murphy. Murphy was temporarily reinstated under court order but was subsequently re-fired after an appeals court reversed the initial order. A final judgment later this fall declared the mass firing of probationary employees illegal but did not mandate their reinstatement. Murphy has since secured new employment, which offers approximately half the pay and no benefits compared to her previous government position.
External Commentary
Max Stier, founding president of the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit that advises on presidential transitions and government function, offered a differing perspective. Stier characterized the changes as "burning the whole house down," expressing concern that the actions represent a significant reversal in government operations, potentially reverting the system to one resembling the 1800s where government served private interests rather than the public good.
Future Considerations for Former Employees
Both Liz Goggin and Keri Murphy have stated they would consider returning to federal government service under a different administration. Goggin's private therapy practice maintains a high client demand, and she also runs a support group.