US federal workers hope Republicans will curb Trump, Musk firings

Reuters ^ | 11.19.2024 | Nathan Layne, Tim Reid and Thomas Rowe

[libh8er]

Members of the over 2 million-strong U.S. civilian federal workforce are looking to an unlikely source to protect it from Donald Trump and Elon Musk's promise to slash government employees and cut costs: the incoming Republican-controlled Congress.

Federal employee unions are lining up lawyers and preparing public campaigns to try to stave off any mass firings, but they're hoping Republican Congress members will join Democrats in defending their importance to local economies, health and safety, union members and government watchdogs tell Reuters.

Trump has tasked Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head a panel to streamline the U.S. government and is expected to revive a plan to convert some federal employees to "Schedule F" status which strips them of job protections.

Musk has said he could cut $2 trillion in spending, more than the annual discretionary budget; Ramaswamy recently proposed cutting 50% of the workforce by firing everyone whose Social Security number ends in an odd number.

Because the U.S. Congress sets federal spending levels, Republicans may balk at any erosion of their power, unions say.

Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy are "going to come up against congressional mandates and come up against the Constitution, and it's going to set off this (debate) who has the right to spend money on behalf of the American people,” predicted Steve Lenkart, the executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents over 100,000 federal employees.

[CatOwner]

I expect the RINOs to try their damnedest.

[jdt1138]

UNIparty. Nothing will change.

[Frank Drebin]

You mean the UNIparty will never change? You’re probably right. If you mean nothing will change for the country, that won’t be right.

[goodnesswins]

Maybe Trump could tell the taxpayers NOT to pay their taxes This year (April 15)....and protect them with an executive order.

[HalfIrish]

What do they pledge in return? Their hand is mighty, mighty weak.

[caww]

Gov. employees well know what’s to come.....they should be getting their resumes set and ready to go..... Like when a company is bought out by another....usually the Dept. managers are the first they let go.

[bgill]

Awwww, poor things. Where’s my tiny violin.

[cross_bearer_02]

[rktman]

😭

[Nextrush]

I think something has to be done but the devil is in the details.

[PAR35]

There used to be a window in early January where it was advantageous to retire. It had to do with maximizing the amount of accrued annual leave you could have before ‘use or lose’ caused some to be lost. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see a flood of retirements during the window period. There were other factors that came together - I don’t recall what those were. This web site says January 11 is the magic day for 2025. https://www.federalretirementexperts.com/clocking-out-the-best-dates-to-retire-from-the-feds-in-2024-and-beyond#:~:text=Typically%2C%20many%20people%20retire%20on,January%201%20is%20a%20holiday.

[bigbob]

Why don’t we just say there are only MAGA Republicans and Democrats? It would simplify things.

[Reeses]

When laying off Americans, globalists liked to hand out the book "Who Moved My Cheese?", which was printed in China.

Musk might publish "Who Moved My Government Cheese Product?", although the original 94 pages need to be re-done as TikTok length videos.

[1_Rain_Drop]

"Ramaswamy recently proposed cutting 50% of the workforce by firing everyone whose Social Security number ends in an odd number. "

That's funny and very stupid and a reason why I don't trust him. This is akin to firing someone because they are blonde even though their work performance is excellent.

[FlingWingFlyer]

But..But...But If they don’t curb him, IMAGINE HOW MANY LESS FRIGGIN’ “LEAKS” THERE WILL BE.

[Jeff Chandler]

Just don’t fire the brunette females. I like brunettes.

[LegendHasIt]

“Federal WORKERS?

Or people who receive a Federal paycheck?

[noiseman]

What movie was it where the main character was fired by a parrot? That might be a nice touch.

[Texan5]

“Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy are “going to come up against congressional mandates and come up against the Constitution”

My copy of the constitution doesn’t say anything about fed employees-or fed agencies, for that matter-so it isn’t “against” it to cut out waste/reduce spending with closures and a RIF-I’ve been through a couple of those in the past-it happens all the time when cuts are needed in private business and govt. And this one is decades overdue-so put on your big boy pants and get a real job...