Team Maryland Democrats Meet with Federal Employee Union Leaders, Democracy Forward to Discuss Efforts to Defend Federal Workforce

The Democratic members of Maryland’s Congressional delegation held a meeting with leaders from federal employee unions and Democracy Forward to discuss supporting federal employees amid Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s illegal attacks on merit-based civil servants who do critical work on behalf of the American people. The members spoke with leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees, National Treasury Employees Union, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, and Democracy Forward on their shared efforts to combat these attacks and protect our federal workforce. A recording of the full media is available here.

“The Trump-Musk Administration’s illegal purge of federal workers is not only hurting our hard-working public servants — it is hurting important services for all Americans. This is not about efficiency, this is about rigging the government for the already rich and powerful like Elon Musk. To our dedicated federal workers, in Maryland and across the country, we stand with you and won’t stop fighting — in Congress, in the courts, and in our communities — to reverse these reprehensible actions,” said Senator Van Hollen.

"No state has more federal workers per capita than our great state of Maryland," said Senator Alsobrooks. "These are our friends. Our neighbors. Our family. This President has orchestrated a callous witch hunt against these patriotic Americans. In his attacks on them, he is attacking the people they serve – the American people. Team Maryland will continue to do everything in our power to push back against this Administration.”

“Our delegation is working around the clock to help federal workers not simply because they are our constituents, not simply because they are essential to our economy, but because they provide vital services to the American people every day. We continue to coordinate closely with our union partners to protect our federal workers' rights and to hold Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Russell Vought accountable for their illegal and destructive actions,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer.

“From Day One, members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation have been at the center of a congressional fight, constitutional fight, legal fight, and street fight to organize the hearts and minds of so many affected citizens,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “We are on the same team as our federal workforce and are thankful for the dignity of their work. Our marching orders are to resist and to overcome what so many are fearful of in the federal government,” he concluded.

“Maryland Congressional Democrats are fighting hard every day for federal workers across my district, our state and America,” said Congressman Raskin. “In their rampage against the government and public service, the Trump Administration is rejecting the authority of Congress and running afoul of the Civil Service Act, the First Amendment and the rule of law. My colleagues and I are using every tool available to reject and rebuff their unlawful and irrational executive actions, like the mass summary firings of tens of thousands of federal workers. I’m grateful to my unified Democratic partners in the Maryland congressional delegation, the federal employee union leaders and legal experts who joined our meeting yesterday. We are hanging tough every day for the federal workforce, the rule of law and our democracy.”

“Civil servants and government contractors work for the American people.  These patriotic workers do jobs that matter, they protect our water supply, they ensure we have clean air to breathe, they do research to keep our medicines safe and they stave off starvation and disease across the world and in our communities here at home.  This administration and its chainsaw approach to trimming perceived government excess is wrong and shortsighted.  I will continue to fight for the public servants who help Americans with everyday needs.  Our government is of the people for the people and by the people not a regime ruled by a multi-billionaire,” said Congressman Ivey.

“There are so many cruel and unusual pieces of the Trump Administration’s plan, but the probationary piece of their plan especially impacts workers of my generation, people who are early to mid career, and those who will be the next generation of leaders in civil service. These workers are being arbitrarily fired for no cause whatsoever. These folks were not given two weeks notice. They were not given severance. They were shut off from their work and from their livelihoods when they have mortgages, children, and parents to take care of,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.

“I have heard from hundreds of constituents who have been impacted by the Administration’s actions, including a laid off employee whose chief job was to find waste, fraud and abuse at HHS,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “These cuts to federal programs—and the dedicated federal workers who manage them—are shortsighted, nonsensical and likely illegal. Team Maryland will continue to fight to ensure that our federal workers and their employment rights are respected, that their years of deep experience and public service are not devalued and that Marylanders who depend on these vital programs are not left in the lurch.”

"We have heard from countless federal employees who are scared, confused and, in many cases, suddenly facing unemployment after years of dedicated service to our country," Congressman Olszewski said. "These are real people with real families to support — who are also providing critical services to Americans. We will all soon find out what life is like without sufficient workers to process Social Security checks, safeguard our skies and inspect our food. I stand united with my Team Maryland colleagues as we fight the Administration's reckless assault on our civil service."

A recording of the full meeting is available HERE.