The NPR Politics Podcast How Trump Has Reshaped The Federal Workforce
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May 29, 2025 Joining the discussion is Andrea Hsu, NPR's labor and workplace correspondent, who delves into how Donald Trump's campaign promise to 'drain the swamp' has reshaped the federal workforce. She highlights significant changes like buyouts and agency restructuring, along with the resulting legal challenges faced by employees. The conversation also examines the evolving power dynamics between Trump and Congress, revealing a climate of fear among federal workers and the implications of ongoing changes within agencies. A fascinating exploration of modern government.
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Trump's Federal Workforce Reshaping
- Trump has made significant changes to the federal government in four months, but it remains a work in progress amid legal challenges.
- Some agencies were dismantled, others struggled due to lawsuits, and thousands of federal workers faced layoffs or took early retirement.
Lawsuits Pause Workforce Cuts
- Lawsuits have paused Trump’s plans to downsize federal agencies affecting thousands of employees in limbo.
- Layoff notices have been issued but formal separations are on hold due to court orders.
Testing Executive Authority Limits
- Trump tests limits of executive power, pushing reorganization to the Supreme Court with a conservative majority.
- A constitutional crisis looms if court orders to reinstate workers are ignored.