Federal workers are reporting increased fear and distrust within the federal government as significant changes are being instigated by President Trump and Elon Musk's administration. Employees from various agencies indicate that they can't speak freely or trust their colleagues, often resorting to self-censorship regarding critical national security matters. This environment, characterized by executive orders and an apparent lack of procedure in agency terminations, has led to drastic measures, such as a climate change team isolating themselves from all technology to maintain confidentiality during discussions. Workers express anxiety not just for job security, but for the implications on democracy itself.
"People are terrified, not for losing their jobs but for losing democracy."
The widespread paralysis has been driven not just by the terminations and the crippling of entire agencies, which workers say has followed no apparent logic."
Many workers say they live in a constant state of fear, unable to trust their colleagues, unable to speak freely, reflexively engaging in self-censorship even on matters they view as crucial to national security."
One team that works on issues related to climate change has gone so far as to seal itself off in a completely technology-sanitized room for in-person meetings."
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