Federal layoffs could discourage young professionals from government

Lawmakers from both parties are expressing concerns over recent federal layoffs led by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. They warn that these job cuts will make it harder for the government to attract young college graduates and skilled professionals. Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia highlighted that the situation is a significant barrier to recruitment for federal jobs. He believes this is a deliberate outcome of the current administration’s actions. Senator Chris Van Hollen, also worried about the future of public service, mentioned that the layoffs could deter talented young people from considering government jobs. He noted that many people are motivated by patriotism and the desire to serve their country. Representative Don Bacon, a Republican, echoed these fears by saying the layoffs are too abrupt and poor planning could lead to inefficiencies. Young people, especially students in Washington, D.C., are feeling the impact of these cuts. One Georgetown University student, who had hoped to secure a federal job after her internship, is now reconsidering her career path due to a federal hiring freeze. She stated that she may now pursue a job in the private sector instead. Senator Van Hollen recalled a speech by Russ Vought, who indicated that the intent was to create fear among federal workers. Vought’s comments have raised alarms about the long-term impact on recruitment. In response, a White House spokesperson highlighted the number of political appointees made recently, but noted these are a small fraction of the overall federal workforce. Additionally, the Trump administration has taken steps to eliminate career development programs, like the Presidential Management Fellows Program, which helps bring in new talent to the federal workforce. Critics argue this discourages young people from pursuing careers in government. Arati Prabhakar, a former government official, criticized the cuts for sending a negative message to talented individuals who might want to work for the government. She emphasized that attracting skilled people is crucial for addressing complex challenges effectively.