You just proved my point for me. You obviously didn't read past hypothetical #1. Here's hypothetical #2 one more time:
2. State Dept employee engages in speech related to Iran Nuclear Deal
According to Pickering this speech is NOT protected as this is a matter related to official diplomacy which falls under the purview of the State Dept. If the government determines that the speech undermines its ability to provide service to the public, employee CAN be fired. This article pertains specifically to:
State Department employees who have complained about the Biden administration’s support for Israel Which can be tied directly to the execution of diplomatic functions by the State Department and therefore better be classified under hypothetical #2.
There is no blanket 1A protection for government workers.
You can say he's lying and wouldn't. You can say he's wrong and shouldn't. But you can't say he couldn't. According to
The Pickering Balancing Test, I say he can.