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Last week, a significant development unfolded in Washington: Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Justice decided to withdraw amidst growing scrutiny regarding a troubling dating history that purportedly involved minors, drugs, and financial misconduct. The relief felt by DOJ employees was almost tangible.
“We dodged a bullet,” a federal prosecutor texted me shortly after the news broke about Gaetz’s withdrawal. Another remarked, “How did we get so lucky?” A former prosecutor expressed a glimmer of hope: “Maybe there’s still a chance for the Republic.”
Across the capital, DOJ staff and their colleagues were left yearning for a similar stroke of fortune. With Trump set to return to Washington surrounded by a loyal team ready to take on Cabinet roles, 4.5 million federal employees are bracing for a cultural transformation of unprecedented scale—one that could surpass the turbulence experienced during Trump’s first term eight years ago. Many insiders believe that during that period, Trump was limited by two crucial factors: his lack of awareness regarding the full extent of presidential power, and a circle of advisors primarily made up of traditional CEOs who, while compliant, did not fully resonate with his more radical aspirations. This time, however, Trump seems far more knowledgeable about the breadth of presidential authority and is selecting his team from a cadre of reality TV-inspired individuals who echo his themes of vengeance and retribution.
Trump is forming what might be the least experienced Cabinet in decades—one rife with controversies and questionable qualifications. Several nominees are skipping the standard FBI background checks, with their assessments based more on their media presence and how closely they align with Trump’s preferences. In this scenario, expertise appears to take a back seat to the candidates’ charisma and their performances on platforms like Fox News.
Consider Matt Gaetz, for instance, who was nominated and quickly fell from favor as Trump’s initial choice for Attorney General. Gaetz possesses minimal legal experience, and none in overseeing a large organization. The situation worsened as he was under investigation by the very department he was slated to lead, with an ethics report anticipated to unveil troubling aspects of his relationships with minors. Even his most ardent MAGA supporters anticipated challenges ahead. In a mere eight days, Gaetz transitioned from Congressman to Cabinet aspirant to a figure of disgrace. Presently, Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General known for her loyalty to Trump and her flirtation with election fraud narratives, has taken over as a less controversial interim replacement.
Concerns over qualifications and temperament still loom for other potential nominees like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The aftermath of Gaetz’s withdrawal has not lessened the growing dissatisfaction among Senate Republicans, as Trump continues to nudge them toward acceptance of his increasingly audacious team.
Furthermore, the focus isn’t just on the top roles. Trump and his supporters are eager to install loyalists at all levels, facilitating extensive changes throughout the government. This includes a widely anticipated mandate for a return to office, which could drastically shrink the workforce. This shift is seen as an opportunity to reshape the federal employee landscape, potentially affecting private sector employment trends as well. Trump is ready to show many federal workers the door if they have grown too comfortable with remote work arrangements.
Federal employees—who represent the largest group of workers under a single system in the nation—find themselves largely at the mercy of their incoming leader, who has publicly expressed disdain for career officials he perceives as disloyal or part of a so-called Deep State. This new wave of officials is set to enforce Trump’s directives.
For now, it seems that DOJ veterans have escaped working under an inexperienced leader whose main skill lies in currying favor with Trump. However, their counterparts throughout the federal government may not share the same fortune.
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