Federal Workers Near Capital Concerned About Trump’s Relocation Plans

In Washington, growing apprehension is palpable among federal employees like Laura Dodson, who have historically provided crucial support for the economy of the nation’s capital and its surrounding areas. This anxiety has resurfaced as proposals from former President Donald Trump suggest uprooting as many as 100,000 federal jobs from Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

This issue echoes painful memories from Trump’s previous term when Dodson’s office at the U.S. Department of Agriculture faced relocation plans. Initially, about 75 staff members were set to move to Kansas City, Missouri. However, fewer than 40 made the transition, with the rushed timeline forcing many to reconsider their careers, leading to unanticipated retirements and job turnovers within the agency.

The latest proposals under Trump’s Agenda 47 plan are causing significant unrest among federal workers. Many fear the sudden changes could lead to hardships in securing housing, employment for spouses, and educational arrangements for children. The impact on families and individual livelihoods is a point of concern that resonates deeply among this workforce.

As these relocation plans resurface, they coincide with a tense Senate race in Maryland, where Trump’s strategies are viewed as risky in a state he underperformed in during the 2020 election, capturing just 32% of the vote. His proposals are not only raising eyebrows but are also called “crazy” even by some within his party.

Dodson, who serves as the acting vice president of a local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) that represents USDA’s Economic Research Service, described the current atmosphere as filled with anxiety and discomfort. “There’s a palpable fear regarding the future of our jobs and what this means for our lives,” she stated.

Worries extend beyond mere relocations. Employees are also anxious about “Project 2025,” a significant overhaul plan proposed by Trump allies aimed at reducing thousands of jobs and potentially stripping civil service protections from federal workers. While Trump has distanced himself from this initiative over the summer, the threat it poses has not diminished.

Michael Knowles, president of AFGE local 1924, expressed his concerns over this initiative, emphasizing that it aims to dramatically reduce the National Capital Region’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services presence, rotating employees to different locations throughout the country. Most of his members are dedicated to their roles and remain committed to federal service. Still, Knowles suggests arbitrary relocations without clear rationale could be met with discontent.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the District of Columbia employs around 160,700 federal workers, with Maryland and Virginia also ranking high in federal employment numbers. The proposed job movements have angered many local leaders in these suburbs, with some interpreting them as political retaliation from Trump due to his lack of popularity in the region.

Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic nominee in the Maryland Senate race, critiqued Trump’s treatment of federal workers, saying it highlights the necessity to move away from his influence. She characterized his actions as ruthless and retaliatory, describing the proposals as detrimental to federal employees.

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan echoed these sentiments, deeming the relocation plans “crazy” and asserting they would be disastrous for not only the individuals involved but for the federal workforce and the region as a whole. “It’s like Trump trying to turn the federal government into one of his failed casinos,” he remarked.

The proposed workforce relocations have also created ripples of concern among local businesses that rely on federal employees. For instance, Tay Gibson, service manager at Census Auto Repair & Sales near the U.S. Census Bureau, warned that a significant departure of federal workers would directly threaten small business operations reliant on their patronage.

Libby Garvey, who chairs the Arlington County Board in Virginia, underscored the potential economic fallout from losing a substantial number of local taxpayers, which could severely impact public services and infrastructure funding.

Karen Hult, a political science professor at Virginia Tech, suggested that federal employees in Northern Virginia represent a voting bloc which could influence election outcomes. While relocating federal workers may resonate with some Virginians outside the metropolitan area who harbor distrust towards the federal government, it remains to be seen how this approach would play out politically.

Filipe Campante, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, remarked on the essential role federal employees play in maintaining accountability within the government. He suggested that moving them away from the seat of government diminishes this vital oversight function, raising questions about the implications for governance.

Ultimately, the proposals surrounding the potential relocation of federal workers are igniting significant concern not only for the employees themselves but also for the broader economic ramifications that could follow these decisions.

Source: AP