Federal Workers Resist and Persist

 

Dear Federal Worker:

Don’t do it.  Don’t take the Federal buy out!  Don’t fire yourself..

Since the McCarthy era there have been federal laws established prohibiting loyalty oaths, and public servants are non-partisan, and serve the public not a party.  Trump knows he cannot legally fire you. Instead, he is trying to get you to leave now, to self select if you are someone who would refuse to follow a dictator.  He is the one that said he would be a dictator on Day One and now we see that in action..   The Weimar Republic was a democracy in Germany before Hitler disbanded the legislature and made all public servants serve the agenda of his new fascist government.  This is the best moment in time to try to stop that outcome!

Please think about the tasks and goals of your current position.  Our society would suffer deeply if there were not people doing the many things that Federal workers are doing.  What would happen if no one were doing those essential tasks?  There is no guarantee your position will be filled, as part of the goal of the Project 2025 is to disband government.  Trump repeatedly denied he knew about it, but that was clearly not true.  You doing important work and are needed.  We, the citizens, need you to stay.

You maybe asking yourself the ethical question: “Could I carry out what he wants done?”   Since none of us have a crystal ball that is unknowable.  Remember this is not your last chance to quit.  You never have to do anything immoral or illegal, and please don’t!  But it is possible that after this “buyout” situation is over that your department will be ignored for a while or forever – that really he is just trying to ensure loyalty.  Don’t leave and don’t stop making ethical and legal decisions.

By not cooperating with his attempt to eliminate US Federal government by not leaving, you also have the potential to resist from within.   There are legendary tales of low-rank to high-ranking clerks and officials within the Nazi government who subverted and saved lives from within the government.  If you stay and resist, yes that may end in being fired.  I am asking you to serve our country right now by staying and trying to provide the services we so desperately need.

You may also be trying to figure out how you would earn a living to provide for yourself and your family in this trying situation?   Many of you have very specialized bodies of knowledge, not easily translatable to general society.  Another reason to stay.   It may seem very tempting to be offered such a long “severance package” and to not have to work during that time.  But my own US Senator, Patty Murray has had to write to constituents pointing out that they cannot believe the word of the President.  She points out he has a long history of stiffing workers and lying to people.  Most compellingly the government is currently only funded thru the end of March, and while that is likely to be extended again, at this moment he cannot with assurance make such a promise.  Additionally, US law caps buyouts at $25,000.   So you must decide your career and income decisions in the face of sheer chaos and disorder being created by the Trump administration.

Senate leader Mitch McConnell famously said of house leader Elizabeth Warren when she was doing something he did not want: “and yet never the less she persisted…”   I ask you in the name of WE the People…please persist.