Former federal employees have shared their heartbreaking stories after being targeted in the Trump administration’s sweeping government layoffs.
In an emotional video to MSNBC, fired workers from various agencies revealed the critical roles they performed before losing their jobs.
From cybersecurity officials to custodial jobs at National parks, these workers described the crucial duties they performed – with many warning their absence puts Americans at risk.
Dr. Ben Andrew, who oversaw cybersecurity for the VA.gov website, warned the public about the implications of his dismissal.
‘About a third of USDS, including me, were fired last week,’ he told viewers. ‘Without people like me ensuring that VA.gov is secure, the private financial and healthcare data of American veterans is at risk of being stolen, sold to the highest bidder, and used to harm people.’
Meanwhile, Riley Ratcliffe shared how his role as a custodial worker at Yosemite National Park was crucial to visitors’ experience.
‘I picked diapers off the side, toilet paper, beer bottles, cigarette butts, you name it, so you didn’t have to see it,’ he explained.
Katie Sandlin, who served as chief of safety and emergency management at the Philadelphia VA, described her position as ‘mission critical’ for ensuring ‘the health and safety of all those who entered into our facilities’
He also shared his deep commitment to the park service despite the low pay.
Katie Sandlin, who served as chief of safety and emergency management at the Philadelphia VA, described her position as ‘mission critical’ for ensuring ‘the health and safety of all those who entered into our facilities.’
The segment spotlighted workers from diverse federal departments including the National Institutes of Health, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Forest Service, and multiple Veterans Affairs facilities.
Many explained they had joined civil service not for financial gain but out of patriotic duty.
Cody Anderson, who monitored water quality at ‘the largest reservoir in the United States,’ explained his role was crucial for ‘making sure that when people are out boating or swimming, that the water quality is sufficient to keep people healthy.’
Nick Hand worked in genomics education at the NIH after relocating from Alabama to Maryland.
He shared that he entered public service because he was ‘passionate about helping others learn science and to also give back to a country that has given so much to me.’
Despite their dismissals, several former employees expressed willingness to return to their posts immediately if given the opportunity.
Former federal employees have shared their stories after being targeted in the Trump administration’s sweeping government layoffs. In an emotional video to MSNBC, fired workers from various agencies revealed the critical roles they performed before losing their jobs
Riley Ratcliffe shared how his role as a custodial worker at Yosemite National Park was vital to visitors’ experience
‘If they offered me my job back tomorrow, I would take it despite all the chaos and risk,’ one worker stated. ‘The mission is still there, and I’m still ready to be a part of it.’
The video concludes with a powerful statement calling out misconceptions about federal workers.
‘We’re not deep state actors. We’re not faceless bureaucrats. I’m a veteran that wants to help factories. That’s why people join the federal service. They do it to help others and serve their country. This is the face of the federal agencies.’
This comes as the Trump administration continued its bloodbath gutting of the US Agency for International Development, cutting 2,000 workers and placing all but a fraction of other staffers on leave.
It comes after a federal judge on Friday allowed the administration to move forward with pulling thousands of domestic USAID staffers off the job and around the world.
US District Judge Carl Nichols rejected pleas that came in a lawsuit from employees to keep a temporarily block on the government’s plan.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .