The federal government’s long-standing tradition of job security is undergoing a dramatic shift under the current Trump administration, which has embraced mass firings affecting millions of federal workers. This unprecedented move, described by critics as part of an Elon Musk-led DOGE restructuring effort, is eroding the protections that employees have traditionally relied on. Historically, federal jobs have been regarded as a safe haven, offering stability and benefits that attracted many to public service. However, under the new policies, this sense of security is rapidly diminishing.
Once considered a guarantee, the permanence of federal employment is now under threat as probationary and even experienced employees are being dismissed with increasing frequency. As reported by the Axios news outlet, millions of workers now face the same job anxiety as those in the private sector, including employees in the tech industry, who have been used to sudden layoffs. The situation marks a sharp departure from a system that has been in place for more than a century.
A new era of job insecurity for federal employees
One of the key elements of federal employment has always been its stability—workers often sacrificed higher wages in exchange for long-term job security. But as reported by Axios, this historical promise of permanence has been shaken to its core. A longtime federal employee, speaking anonymously to Axios, revealed the extent of the change: “This is not the same government it was a month ago.” The employee, who had accepted the administration’s “deferred resignation” offer, explained how the mentality among federal workers has drastically shifted. “The mentality that federal workers have—that their jobs are protected—none of that exists anymore,” they said.
The shift in federal employment policy is largely due to the administration’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the government, as outlined in a White House statement. Aiming to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate inefficiencies, the administration has implemented a strict hiring freeze and instructed agencies to prioritize retaining top-performing employees. As part of this restructuring, probationary workers—who had traditionally enjoyed more job security than in the private sector—are now vulnerable to dismissal.
The Pendleton Act and the erosion of civil service protections
To understand the gravity of the current situation, it is essential to look back to the late 19th century, when the US government moved away from the “spoils system” in favor of merit-based hiring. The Pendleton Act, passed after the assassination of President Garfield in 1881, aimed to protect civil service workers from political patronage and ensured that hiring and firing were based on merit and skill. Over time, these protections were extended, allowing workers to focus on their roles without fear of political interference or arbitrary dismissal.
However, as Axios reports, the current administration is pushing the limits of these long-established protections. While probationary employees have fewer protections than their permanent counterparts, the firing of non-probationary employees with strong performance reviews has also become commonplace. Agencies such as USAID have seen such dismissals, with employees being told they were being fired for performance reasons despite their positive evaluations.
Impact on federal workers
The transition from a secure, stable federal workforce to one of increasing vulnerability is unsettling for millions. Historically, federal jobs have provided certain protections not found in the private sector, including safeguards against political discrimination and a structured process for layoffs. As reported by Axios, federal employees have more union protections than their private-sector counterparts—30% of federal workers are represented by unions, compared to just 7% in the private sector. This union representation has historically helped to protect against arbitrary firings and unfair treatment.
Moreover, the pay structures within the federal government are publicly available, and this transparency has contributed to closing gender and racial pay gaps, as compared to the private sector. However, as the government’s overhaul continues, these traditional safeguards appear to be eroding, leaving workers to question how long their positions will remain secure. David Super, a professor at Georgetown Law, emphasized the importance of these protections, stating, “It gives people a lot of security to work hard, do their jobs and not worry about playing personality politics,” as quoted by Axios.
The broader implications of the DOGE-led overhaul
The government’s current strategy reflects a stark departure from the practices of the past. Under President Trump, the White House sought to bring about sweeping changes to the federal government, claiming a mandate from the American people to combat “waste, fraud, and abuse.” As reported by the Axios news outlet, Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, defended the firings, saying, “This isn’t easy to do in a broken system entrenched in bureaucracy and bloat, but it’s a task long overdue.”
However, critics argue that these changes are threatening the very foundation of federal civil service. For years, working for the government meant sacrificing higher pay in exchange for job security and a sense of permanence. Now, federal workers face a future where layoffs and firings are no longer unthinkable, as new policies place an increasing focus on restructuring rather than protecting employees.
A shift from security to risk
As the administration’s efforts to overhaul the federal workforce continue, the stability that many employees once relied on is rapidly disappearing. Federal workers are now being asked to contend with the same anxieties and uncertainties that private-sector employees face. As Axios reported, the risks of working for the federal government are rising, while the rewards of job security remain the same, leaving many employees uncertain about their futures. Until recently, taking a job with the federal government meant accepting a lower salary in exchange for a guaranteed, secure career path. But in today’s climate, that promise is becoming increasingly hollow.
