Elizabeth Linos, a Harvard public policy expert, discusses the significant job cuts and contract cancellations in the federal government, warning of lasting harms. Maureen Corrigan, a literature professor, reviews Judith Giesberg's 'Last Seen', which reflects on the emotional toll of family separations experienced by formerly enslaved individuals. They dive into the historical context of government reforms and the vital need for public trust, illuminating how past injustices resonate today.
Elon Musk's workforce initiatives have led to significant job insecurity among federal employees, disrupting long-established civil service protections.
The drastic cuts to the federal workforce risk deteriorating the quality of government services and increasing reliance on costly contractors.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Influence on Federal Employment
Elon Musk has been given significant authority over the federal workforce through his role in the Department of Government Efficiency, where he has initiated mass layoffs and targeted specific agencies for elimination. After seizing control of the Treasury Department's payment system, he dismissed thousands of employees and implemented new expectations, such as requiring federal workers to report weekly accomplishments under threat of termination. This drastic shift has led to widespread anxiety among federal employees, many of whom feel uncertain about their job security and roles within the government. Instances of employees being fired one day and reinstated the next illustrate the chaos and instabilities affecting the federal workforce under Musk's policies.
Perceptions of Government Workforce Size
There is a common belief that the federal workforce is bloated, but data shows that the size has remained relatively stable over the decades, hovering around 2 million employees since the 1960s. Despite an increasing population and growing governmental responsibilities, the percentage of the budget allocated to federal salaries is low, constituting about 6% of total federal expenditures. Elizabeth Linos emphasized that the perception of bloat has persisted through various administrations, despite evidence suggesting that the workforce is not as inefficient as some assume. This ongoing belief appears to contribute to the justification for significant layoffs and cuts within government agencies.
Impact of Civil Service Protections
The civil service system was established to facilitate merit-based hiring and protect government employees from arbitrary dismissal, which has historically been underpinned by the Pendleton Act of 1883. However, in the current environment, probationary employees, who are more vulnerable due to their limited protections, have faced the brunt of recent layoffs. While long-term federal employees enjoy more robust job security based on performance documentation, the fear among newer employees is palpable, especially given the volatility of the current administration's approach to workforce management. Discussions around the need for reform within the civil service are juxtaposed with the realities of employee anxiety and insecurity regarding their future in government roles.
Long-term Consequences of Workforce Cuts
The immediate impact of Elon Musk's workforce initiatives could lead to a deterioration in the quality of government services, as agencies might struggle to function effectively with reduced staff. Historical insights reveal that past efforts to cut the federal workforce often resulted in increased reliance on contractors, who may be more costly and less accountable than federal employees. There is concern that should these cuts persist, not only will service delivery suffer, but there is the risk of replacing nonpartisan civil servants with politically aligned personnel. The ongoing changes bear the potential for significant and lasting effects on both the economy and the perception of government effectiveness among the American populace.
DOGE has eliminated thousands of federal jobs and canceled more than 1,000 contracts. Harvard professor Elizabeth Linos warns, "We're seeing harms that are not going to be easily undone."
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families.
