Welcome to Living It with Olivia Troye – Unfiltered insights from a former Trump official, exposing the chaos, uncovering the risks, and inspiring you to take action in turbulent times. The Purge of Public ServantsThe human side of a national crisis – in more ways than one.
There's a certain camaraderie among federal workers. Though we work in vastly different organizations and roles, one thing unites us: our love of country and commitment to public service. These last few weeks have been unimaginably difficult for the 2.3 million people who make up the federal workforce, as they are forced to decide whether to accept the "buyout offer" from the Trump Administration or not. There's also a lot of confusion about who is even eligible and whether the administration will keep its word and honor the deal. In the latest development, a U.S. judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's proposed buyout for federal workers until Monday, giving an initial win to labor unions that sued to stop it. These are fellow Americans suddenly faced with a loss of livelihood—work that they were dedicated to for years or even decades—and all of the fears and sadness that go along with that. But the consequences of this 'purge' go beyond personal loss. They threaten the very institutions that protect our national security, public health, economic stability, and disaster response. The potential fallout from these actions is catastrophic. National Security: Weakening America from Within Intelligence agencies rely on institutional knowledge and career professionals to counter threats from foreign adversaries and domestic extremists.
This isn't just bad policy—it's dangerous. History has shown us that weakening national security institutions creates vulnerabilities our adversaries will exploit. Public Health: The Next Crisis Will Be Worse We saw what happened when public health was politicized under Trump. This next wave of federal workforce cuts will leave us even more unprepared for future pandemics, biosecurity threats, and drug safety concerns.
Disaster Response: When FEMA Can't Save You Natural disasters don't care about political loyalty. A fully staffed and well-resourced Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is essential as climate change drives more extreme weather events. Trump's workforce purge threatens the agency's ability to respond. He's already threatened to get rid of the agency altogether.
We saw a preview of this during Hurricane Katrina when FEMA, underfunded and significantly understaffed, failed to provide immediate relief. The result? Over 1,800 lives were lost. Everyday Services: The Slow Collapse of Government Many Americans don't realize how much they rely on federal workers until those services disappear.
Let's also talk about our amazing military veterans. Not only do they currently make up thirty percent of the government workforce, but what happens to the services and healthcare they receive from VA hospitals when the staffing shortagesonly worsen? As a reminder, when Trump shut down the government for 35 days in 2018-2019, we saw what happens when federal agencies grind to a halt. Now, imagine that happening permanently. Economy: Job Losses and Financial Instability People don't always see the connection between government jobs and their local economy—until those jobs disappear. The loss of these jobs affects not only the individuals and their families but also the businesses and communities they support. It's a ripple effect that can lead to financial instability and job losses in the private sector.
But wait, there's more... USAID has been making headlines due to its workforce being placed on administrative leave and the abrupt shutdown of the entire agency. The State Department and USAID are critical to diplomacy and global stability, with career diplomats working to prevent conflicts and negotiate security agreements. Unilaterally shutting down USAID in one sweeping action is irresponsible and likely illegal, as Congress should have a say in such a decision. For those who dismiss the importance of diplomacy or international development and ask, what's in it for me?—USAID initiatives help create markets for American businesses abroad. Eliminating these programs could lead to domestic job losses, so much for protecting American jobs. Transportation and Aviation: Your Flights Are About to Get Riskier If you've ever been frustrated by flight delays or unsafe road conditions, imagine a future where things get exponentially worse because of federal workforce cuts.
History has shown that mass federal workforce reductions debilitate essential services and endanger lives. The difference this time is that it's all intentional. Trump and his allies—including Musk and people like recently confirmed OMB Director Russ Vought—aren't just downsizing the government. There are proper mechanisms for a federal workforce reduction, and we should undoubtedly oversee and assess where we need to improve and cut down on spending. However, the manner in which they are going about this and what they are currently doing is deliberately undermining the government's ability to function. This is how authoritarianism takes root—not with dramatic takeovers, but by systematically breaking the institutions that keep democracy functioning. It's up to us, the people, to decide whether we stand by and watch this happen—or take action to stop it. Authoritarianism thrives on fear and silence, but when we refuse to accept lies as truth, we begin to break its power. Even the smallest act of defiance—speaking out, refusing to comply, standing together—can unravel the system being built to control us. More soon, Olivia Living It with Olivia Troye is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. |