Many federal bureaucrats who survived one Donald Trump administration are uncertain about their ability to endure a second one. POLITICO interviewed over a dozen civil servants, political appointees under President Joe Biden, and recently departed Biden administration staffers who expressed concerns about a potential wave of departures from federal agencies. They fear that the next president may reduce budgets, reverse policy agendas, and target individuals who do not show enough loyalty. This could lead to a significant brain drain from the federal workforce, which Trump may view favorably.
During his previous term, Trump and his allies expressed deep distrust of the executive branch bureaucracy and its over 2 million civil servants, accusing them of being part of a federal “deep state” that undermined his administration. Trump appointed political officials to various agencies to “clean house,” and he will have the opportunity to nominate individuals for around 4,000 political positions in the upcoming administration. His administration also initiated efforts to make it easier to dismiss civil servants and replace them with political appointees, a trend that is expected to continue upon his return in January.
Concerns are particularly high among national security, environmental, and health agencies, where officials fear that Trump’s return could lead to significant policy changes. The possibility of noted vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. influencing health agencies under Trump’s administration has raised alarm among staff members.
Despite the apprehension, some officials are conflicted about leaving their positions and are determined to defend their agencies’ missions. The uncertainty surrounding the future of federal agencies under a second Trump administration has left many employees feeling anxious and unsure about their roles.
While some individuals are preparing for potential changes and departures, others are trying to find ways to work with disagreeable parties to continue their work effectively. The overall sentiment among employees varies, with some feeling resigned to the situation while others are actively seeking ways to navigate the challenges ahead.
Michael Doyle, Kevin Bogardus, and Hannah Northey contributed to this report.
