‘We want to put them in trauma’

When President Donald Trump took office in January, 2.4 million people worked for the federal government. It was America’s largest employer. 

Four months later, Trump — and Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service — have hacked off chunks of government in the name of efficiency, with tactics rarely seen in public or private industry: Some federal workers have found themselves fired, rehired, then let go again. Many have been ridiculed as “lazy” and “corrupt.” They’ve been locked out of offices by police, fired for political “disloyalty,” and told to check their email to see if they still draw a paycheck.

More than 30 former and current federal workers told The Washington Post that the chaos and mass firings had left them feeling devalued, demoralized and scared for themselves and the country. Many described problems they’d never experienced before: insomnia, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts. Others with a history of mental struggles said they’d found themselves pushed into terrifying territory.

Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz speaks with investigative reporter William Wan about the administration’s immense toll on federal workers’ mental health. We hear from the husband of Caitlin Cross-Barnet, a public health worker who died by suicide in March. And, in the second half of the episode, Wan reflects on years spent covering the nation’s mental health crisis for The Post. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Maggie Penman. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Contact William Wan at william.wan@washpost.com or (202) 725-2121 on Signal.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.