All articles tagged with #civil service
Democratic lawmakers in at least four states have introduced bills to bar people who joined ICE from future state or local government jobs, with proposals ranging from excluding them from law enforcement and teaching to banning them from the entire state civil service; none have become law yet, and legal challenges are anticipated as Democrats seek to counter ICE’s deportation tactics amid a broader funding stalemate in Congress.
Frontrunner Dame Antonia Romeo for the cabinet secretary role faced bullying and expenses allegations from staff during her time as UK consul general in New York; the government says there was one complaint investigated and dismissed, but BBC sources say there were multiple complaints, raising questions about her suitability for the top civil service post.
Dame Antonia Romeo, viewed as the government’s preferred cabinet secretary candidate, was questioned about her management style after a 2017 inquiry into three allegations related to expenses and bullying during her time as consul-general in New York; the investigation concluded there was no case to answer. The Cabinet Office stressed there was only one formal complaint and it was dismissed, while supporters highlight her 25-year record of public service and leadership of multiple departments. Some officials defended her amid criticism, noting the importance of thorough due diligence.
Keith Cowing analyzes Jared Isaacman’s directive to restore NASA’s core competencies by shifting critical work from contractors back to civil service, tightening procurement, and building in-house expertise, with rapid actions like workforce assessments, transition plans, onboarding, and the creation of center makerspaces; he cautions that 2025’s staff losses, a fragile strategic plan, and budget pressures complicate the effort, but emphasizes the need for broader audience engagement and internal culture changes to realize Artemis-era ambitions.
The Office of Personnel Management finalized Schedule Policy/Career to reclassify about 50,000 career federal employees, stripping civil-service protections and the ability to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board; implementation won’t start for at least 30 days as agencies submit lists for White House review, where final decisions will rest. Critics warn it politicizes the federal workforce and may invite lawsuits, with unions and Democratic lawmakers pledging to push back while whistleblower investigations shift to individual agencies.
Despite the hardships caused by the ongoing government shutdown, federal workers are finding their voice, organizing, and strategizing to oppose perceived injustices and defend their rights, with some seeing the crisis as an opportunity for greater activism and accountability.
During a government shutdown, the Trump administration used official channels to blame Democrats, blurring the line between federal employees and partisan politics, raising concerns about violations of the Hatch Act and potential erosion of public trust in the civil service.
Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats Party, has pledged to remove ISA head David Zini if elected, criticizing his appointment and calling for a civil service purge to protect democratic integrity, while facing criticism from Benny Gantz for politicizing security appointments.
A bipartisan group of 48 senators introduced the Protect America’s Workforce Act to nullify President Trump's executive orders that stripped federal employees of union rights, aiming to restore collective bargaining agreements and oppose what they describe as union-busting measures.
Republican efforts to overhaul civil service protections through the reconciliation process face obstacles after the Senate parliamentarian ruled several provisions as violations of reconciliation rules, including proposals to alter employment and retirement contributions for federal workers. While some measures are struck down, others remain under consideration, with GOP aiming to pass the bill by July 4.
The article exposes the treatment of veteran lawyers at the Justice Department, who are being sidelined into a 'rubber room' with menial tasks and idle time, as part of political retaliation and upheaval following the change in administration, raising concerns about the treatment of civil servants and the impact on government readiness.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf expressed uncertainty about the agency's future under the Trump administration, citing concerns over potential changes and the influence of Trump ally Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on health policy. Califf highlighted the risk to the FDA's ability to hire and retain skilled employees due to Kennedy's critical stance on civil servants.
Federal employees are anxious about potential mass firings under a second Trump administration, as Trump plans to reinstate Schedule F, allowing for the removal of nonpartisan federal workers. This move could significantly alter the federal workforce, reminiscent of the 19th-century spoils system. Unions and legal groups are preparing to challenge these changes, which could impact over 2 million federal employees, particularly in the DC area. Concerns include political interference and the potential relocation of agency offices.
Pentagon officials are reportedly discussing how to handle potential illegal orders from Donald Trump, such as deploying the military domestically, amid concerns he might alter rules to fire career civil servants. This comes as Trump considers using the military against political enemies and migrants, despite legal prohibitions. Meanwhile, the US election remains undecided in key swing states, and various political and legal developments unfold, including charges against an Iranian for plotting against Trump and a federal judge overturning Illinois' semiautomatic weapons ban.
With Donald Trump potentially returning to the presidency, three key Biden administration priorities face scrutiny: protecting the civil service, maintaining climate measures from the Inflation Reduction Act, and continuing military and economic support for Ukraine. Biden's efforts to "Trump-proof" these policies include solidifying civil service protections, embedding climate investments in Republican districts, and securing Ukraine aid through NATO and G7 commitments. However, Trump's past actions and statements suggest potential rollbacks, particularly in climate policy and foreign aid.