Dear colleagues,
We live in a time when we must prepare for another dramatic pendulum swing in public policy. For those of you who work in the federal government, this is a recognized cause for anxiety.
I worked to the EPA through multiple presidential transitions, including from President Obama to President Trump in 2017, and again transitioning to President Biden in 2021. In this second Trump administration, we know that we expect that attacks on federal science And federal scientists thanks to the of the president his record and the promises of his second campaign. In addition, there is the Project 2025 Manifesto which outlines the new administration’s plans to reverse the progress made over the past four years and end efforts to combat man-made diseases. climate change and environmental damage alongside their inherent social inequalities.
One of the pillars of the cynical Project 2025 agenda is attacking the foundations of federally funded science. Another is to attack the same people WHO work in regulatory programs administrative agencies. I remember experiencing this life-changing change eight years ago. I wondered anxiously how I could get out of this. Many of my work friends In the federal government, he found other work over the next few years. Somehow I held on and learned many lessons from this time.
What’s best for you is a very individual decision, but here are seven lessons I’ve learned over the years as a federal employee.
1. Know that you have allies in the NGO community who encourage you.
During the first Trump administration, I remember receiving postcards from random strangers thanking me for my public service. I now realize that these postcard campaigns were organized by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the UCS. I also remember seeing small acts protected by the First Amendment, such as signs hanging in individuals’ offices that said, “No Sides in Science.” The signs came from a Save Science rally organized by the NGO community. Seeing them lifted my spirits.
2. Turn off the noise and don’t overreact to the hype.
Much of the hype in the mainstream media is exactly that. Even if you get your information from independent media or social media, it can be deafening to consume too much. One of the lessons of the previous Trump administration is how much bluster there was that didn’t pan out. Don’t preemptively despair.
3. Understand the motivations of political appointees in your agency.
Each political person will have some power and ego to satisfy. They will have to negotiate with other appointees who have their own interests and levers of power. Even though there will be memos from above, like reduction in force ordersAgency appointees will also need to respond to requests from stakeholders with influence in your agency’s policy context. We know, for example, that under the first Trump administration, some industries required permits, and so those industries advocated for keeping relevant personnel at EPA. Additionally, local businesses have supported the continuation of programs providing community redevelopment opportunities, including brownfield and Superfund site cleanup. After all, it takes a clean, healthy, and thriving environment to run a successful business. And thriving local economies are good news.
4. Don’t read minds.
If there is a mandate from above, it must be in writing. From what I saw during the last go-around, agency leaders will try to avoid written records. If they do not send a memo or email instructions, you have the authority to email a summary of their instructions and take note for the file.
5. Use the rules to your advantage.
There are laws that define the protocols and measures that government functions, including regulatory decision-making, should follow. For example, government analyzes must be documented for administrative file. And many government functions require that relevant officials follow ethics rules. Whether it is the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, the Information Quality Act, or the Evidence Act, all of these laws were created to take into account meticulously about the government’s work. This is important for the long game and in cases where the Freedom of Information Act could be used for demonstrate cases political interference or censorship.
6. Know the union resources and support available to you.
Much of the bluster we hear is about attacks on staff through changes to working conditions. Use your union contacts, even if you’re not part of the union, to understand what’s within limits and what flexibilities you have. Demand these flexibilities before giving up your federal government job.
7. Know your employment rights.
You have rights under federal labor laws. Make sure you understand these rights and your agency’s policies, including equal employment opportunity protections based on race, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation. There are organizations, such as Government Accountability Projectwith lawyers ready to support people who expect to be targeted.
I hope these seven lessons can provide you with some comfort in the months and years to come. Additionally, here at UCS we have compiled this list of resources for federal scientific workers and launched our Saving science, saving lives campaign. We are actively working to ensure that senators ask President Trump cabinet candidates during their confirmation hearings on their plans to protect science and scientific integrity. You can urge your senator to do it today.
I left the federal government two years ago. I continue to recognize the profound value of federal science and the regulatory system that has been put in place to protect those most vulnerable to the excesses of our sociopolitical system. This new administration has a particular point of view which should attack the foundation of scientific integrity. At UCS, we know this, and we are ready to support those of you who wish to keep your position within federal institutions. Not everyone can. We also understand and respect this choice.
In solidarity,
Chitra