To the Editor:

I have little tolerance for waste, and less for fraudulent activities in the workplace. Today we are faced with a President and his DOGE “special government employee,” Elon Musk, who claims they are committed to reducing waste and fraud in government agencies. The problems with their processes are multi-faceted, but the worst by far is that they have attacked agencies designed to protect the public with sweeping firings - whether or not there is any evidence of waste, fraud, or any wrongdoing on the parts of the employees losing their jobs.

Tens of thousands of workers have been fired without cause. People who rely on their jobs, like most of us, are now unemployed even though there have never been any complaints about their work, and many have exemplary records. They are sometimes probationary workers trying to advance their careers, and others who have served for decades. They were completely blindsided. Many of the firings are illegal and will cost us millions in litigation for years to come.

Here is the real tragedy. These blanket firings will affect nearly every American negatively at some point. We have lost people who protect us from consumer fraud, dangerous products, and bank scams in the CFPB. Farmers will suffer from cuts to the Department of Agriculture that includes farm loan officers, economists and food scientists working on halting bird flu. Half of the people fired from the Dept. of Energy worked the grid for western American states. While some have been recalled, tens of thousands of HHS workers, who test medical devices, research to prevent epidemics and keep our food and drugs safe, were fired. They recently fired workers from NOAA, which predicts catastrophic weather events for communities across the nation. They have fired VA workers; many of them are veterans. DOT workers who keep our road, water and air travel safe. Aid workers who provide sustenance to countries suffering starvation, terrorism and disease. Housing, Homeland Security, and the DOJ. National Parks. Education. Transportation. Are we winning yet?

Every citizen will eventually feel the pain of these firings; some in small ways, but others in life-changing ways. We count on these agencies to protect us. If there are problems, investigate and respond appropriately. Call your reps today and urge them to stop this travesty before it’s too late.

Brooke Stark
Hammond