Over 210,000 federal workers left their jobs this year because of the Trump administration.
That’s according to the Partnership for Public Service Harms Tracker. For many, it’s meant walking away from, or being pushed out of, a decades-long commitment to public service.
And one trend that’s emerging? Fired or laid-off former federal employees and contractors are running for public office.
We feature the voices of several former federal workers to hear why they see politics as the next step, especially after being forced out of jobs that were always meant to stay apolitical. What does it mean for the future health of our democracy?
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices:
podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
