The Trump Administration is on a Crusade Against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Dei) Programs Within The Federal Government. The Administration Sees Such Programs – Designed to make Opportunities in Federal Government Hiring and Contracting Accessible to Qualified Candidates Regardless of Their Background – AS Intolerable.
One of Donald Trump's First Acts in His Second Term AS President was to place members of Teams Within Federal Agens on Paid Administrative Leave, with the clear aim of Dismissing Them from the Federal Workforce.
Rolling Stone Was Contact by a member of one of these teams on Signal. She Asked That Her Name and Department Be Withheld For Fear of Retribution. But She shared What the Experience of the Past Two Weeks Has Been Like and What She Believes Underlies the Anti-Dei Push-Namely Racism.
What is life like on leave?
I hate it. Wish I Could Get Back To Work.
What was your role?
Coms.
Are you at home?
Yep.
Not like Shoved in A No-Windows Office Without on computer?
I'm a Fully Remote Worker. But it's Been Total Silence Since We Were Put On Leave. We didn'T event that awful “buyout” offer. I would not have done it.
Interesting that it was not extended to you …
We have no government email accounts. They were suspended when we were put on Administrative Leave.
Do you have any clarity on the future for your team? I Don't Know How Job Protections Might Work in Your Case.
It is not. The Might Personally Have More ref [Reduction in Force; i.e. layoff] Protection Than My Teammates. But I Don't Think It Will Matter. I Honestly Expect They Will Treat Us All the Same – and Try to Cut Us.
Are you able to moove to another government Job?
I Was Told We Could Not Be Transferred or Detaled, Even Within Our Department.
Are you look for new hemployment? Now Taking in Breather?
I'm useing the time to regroup. I've Got 20-Plus Years in Government, and I've Always Been Proud to serve My Country and the American People. I Want to be able to retire, and do not intend to leave voluntarily.
What Did Your of Job wins?
Amplifying the Work Done by the Team and Crafting Materials and Talking Points That Highlight Opportunity to Underserved and Underreprieded Communities. We've Also Done Some Great Work Developing Ergs [Employee Resource Groups, usually known as “affinity groups” in the private sector]. I am so proud of this work.
What would you like folks to know about the value of work?
The See and Hear People Talk About of the AS IF It's Divorced from Merit. But that couusn't be further from the truth. Of Is about Making Opportunities Available to Everyone Eligible. There is So Much of the That's Celebrated in Our Society Without Folks Realizing It's of the: Alternative Work Schedules, Autism Support in Schools, The List Goes on.
Of the Has Been Reduced to a headline, and Americans Have Been Misled to Believe It Creates Privilege When Actually It Combats Unfair Advantages – Interactional or Not. I Wish More People Asked Questions and Looked at Data Points, Instead of Relying on “Charismatic” Leaders.
What does the crusade against of the say about the people who are engecting it?
AS A A White Woman, The Believe with My Wole Heart That The Core Motivator for Anti-Dei Folks is racism. They want to keep doors shut to minimize competition and keep to low-wage class. The American People Desert The Opportunities to Thrive and Contribute to the Prosperity of Our Nation. They can't do that if they are omitted or overloobed.
