Trump Battles His Own Government, Sparking Unrest Among Federal Workers
Federal employees describe a climate of fear and intimidation as President Trump pushes for sweeping government changes
WASHINGTON — In the early days of his second term, President Donald Trump has launched an aggressive campaign against his own government, leaving the federal workforce and recipients of federal aid on edge as he tests the boundaries of his executive power. With little regard for Congress, Trump is working through key agencies to reshape the scope, function, and nonpartisan nature of the government, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Trump has primarily targeted two little-known agencies — the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — in a bid to slash funding for various domestic and international programs, make it easier to fire federal employees, and push many to resign. Although federal judges have temporarily blocked some of Trump’s spending cuts, the broader executive order remains in effect, leaving workers caught between conflicting mandates from the courts and the president.
In interviews with NBC News, nearly two dozen federal employees shared their experiences of a tense and unsettling environment. Many described feeling closely monitored and under constant pressure, a stark contrast to the more stable and predictable conditions before Trump’s return to office.
As trust in the federal government continues to erode — with the majority of Americans expressing skepticism in polls — Trump’s approach aligns with long-standing Republican efforts to shrink the government and increase its efficiency. Critics, however, argue that his sweeping actions will undermine the government’s effectiveness, efficiency, and nonpartisan integrity.
One of the most dramatic moves has been Trump’s executive order freezing funding for global aid programs, which resulted in nearly 60 employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) being placed on administrative leave. Trump's administration is also reportedly exploring the possibility of merging USAID into the State Department, a move that critics argue would require congressional approval. Meanwhile, the agency’s website was taken offline last weekend.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) criticized the president’s actions, claiming that Trump’s disregard for the law is harming the American people. “The organizing idea behind what they’re doing is that Trump wants to be king,” Van Hollen said, adding that Trump’s tactics could hinder efforts to prevent a government shutdown in the coming months.
Trump's allies in Congress, like Senator Jim Banks (R-IN), argue that the president is simply delivering on his campaign promises to reduce government waste and improve fiscal responsibility. “The American people overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in part because of his promise to root out government waste,” Banks said in a statement to NBC News.
However, Trump’s approach to reforming the federal government — described by some as a "slash-and-burn" method — carries significant risks. Critics argue that it could leave citizens without vital services, disrupt state and local government functions, and make the federal government more vulnerable to partisan influence. Trump, however, faces little personal risk, given that he is not eligible for re-election, according to his supporters.
One Republican operative suggested that Trump’s moves have been effective so far, although there are concerns about the backlash from dismissing top FBI officials. “When it comes to backlash, [Trump] really shouldn’t care,” the operative said. “He’s not running again, and slimming down the size of the federal workforce is part of his mandate.”
In addition to dismissing FBI leaders, Trump’s administration has reportedly fired a significant number of Justice Department prosecutors who were involved in cases related to the January 6th Capitol attack. The president has also pardoned many of the individuals convicted of January 6-related crimes.
Trump’s administration has implemented measures that some federal employees view as a direct attack on their morale. Employees have been warned that they could face “adverse consequences” for not reporting on colleagues involved in “diversity, equity, and inclusion” work. In a particularly contentious move, Trump blamed a deadly midair collision on “DEI” hires at the Federal Aviation Administration, despite a lack of evidence linking the two.
Federal employees have reported a sense of psychological warfare, with some describing a constant barrage of communications urging them to resign in exchange for "buyouts." Trump has enlisted billionaire Elon Musk to head the Department of Government Efficiency, and Musk's allies have pushed for the resignation program, which federal employees say has created a sense of unease and suspicion.
“There’s a constant feeling that someone is watching us,” one USAID employee said. “We’ve never seen anything like this before. Are they trying to control us? What are they trying to do?”
While some workers agree that the federal government could use reform, many argue that Trump’s methods are counterproductive. “This is fear-mongering,” one federal employee said. “You can’t make meaningful change like this. It’s not how government works.”
At the U.S. Forest Service, one employee described being advised to “lay low” amid the shifting directives. “It’s not a great answer,” they said. “But it’s what we’ve been told.”
Republicans, however, maintain that the changes are necessary to align the federal workforce with Trump’s broader political agenda. Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) emphasized that Trump’s efforts are aimed at maximizing efficiency and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.
However, Neera Tanden, former domestic policy adviser to President Joe Biden, warned that Trump’s efforts could alienate his base of working-class voters. She pointed to the backlash over the OMB memo, which many viewed as a move to halt funding for essential services, such as community health centers and local fire departments. “There’s a conflict between the billionaire libertarians in Trump’s circle and the working-class people who voted for him,” Tanden said. “I don’t think they want to lose their healthcare.”
As Trump continues his efforts to overhaul the federal workforce and slash the budget, it remains unclear whether these actions will ultimately help or harm his political standing. Critics argue that it is vital for the government to function effectively and without fear, while Trump’s supporters maintain that his actions are necessary for fiscal and governmental reform.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai expressed confidence that Trump’s approach will ultimately benefit the American people. “President Trump received a resounding mandate to streamline our gargantuan government to better serve the needs of the American people,” Desai said. “He will use every lever of executive and legislative power to deliver.”