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Last week, Washington was abuzz with news: Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Justice had pulled out of consideration amid allegations regarding a troubling dating history involving minors, drugs, and financial improprieties. The relief among DOJ staff was almost tangible.
“We avoided a disaster,” one federal prosecutor texted me shortly after Gaetz’s withdrawal was announced. Another joked, “How did we get so lucky?” A former prosecutor expressed optimism: “Maybe the Republic is still standing a chance.”
As the news circulated, DOJ employees and their colleagues found themselves wishing for similar fortunate outcomes. With Trump likely to re-enter Washington accompanied by a team of unwavering supporters ready to take over his Cabinet, 4.5 million federal employees are bracing for a dramatic cultural shift—one that could surpass the tumult experienced during Trump’s first term, nearly eight years ago. Many believe that during his first presidency, Trump faced limitations due to a lack of understanding of the full extent of presidential power and was advised by traditional CEOs who, while accommodating, did not fully align with his more radical goals. This time around, however, Trump appears to be more aware of the breadth of presidential authority and is curating his team from a group of reality TV-inspired figures who share his vendetta-driven agenda.
Trump is in the process of assembling what could be the least experienced Cabinet in decades—one characterized by controversies and questionable qualifications. Many candidates are skipping the usual FBI background checks, being assessed instead based on their media presence and how well they fit Trump’s preferences. In this scenario, expertise seems to take a backseat to charisma and performance on networks like Fox News.
Consider Matt Gaetz, for example, who was nominated quickly but fell from grace just as fast as Trump’s first choice for Attorney General. Gaetz has little legal experience and none in managing a large organization. The situation was further complicated by an ongoing investigation by the very department he was set to lead, with an ethics report expected to unveil disturbing details about his interactions with minors. Even his most fervent MAGA supporters anticipated trouble ahead. In a mere eight days, Gaetz transitioned from Congressman to Cabinet contender to a disgraced figure. Currently, Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General known for her loyalty to Trump and ties to election fraud theories, has stepped in as a less controversial interim alternative.
Concerns about qualifications and temperament linger for other potential nominees like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The fallout from Gaetz’s exit has not lessened the mounting frustrations among Senate Republicans, as Trump continues to push them toward acceptance of his increasingly outrageous team.
Furthermore, the focus isn’t just on the top roles. Trump and his supporters aim to place loyalists throughout the ranks, facilitating sweeping changes across all levels of government. This includes an anticipated mandatory return-to-office policy that could drastically reduce the workforce. This shift is seen as a chance to reshape the federal workforce, potentially influencing private sector employment practices as well. Trump appears ready to show many federal employees the door if they have grown too comfortable with remote work.
Federal employees, who constitute the largest group of workers under a single system in the country, find themselves largely at the mercy of their incoming leader, who has expressed contempt for career officials he deems disloyal or part of a so-called Deep State. The new cadre of officials is expected to implement Trump’s directives.
For now, it seems that DOJ veterans have been spared from serving under an inexperienced leader whose primary skill set is maintaining Trump’s favor. However, their counterparts throughout the federal government may not be so fortunate.
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