Maryland Delegation Calls Out ‘Witch-Hunt’ Against Civil Servants
Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation are not mincing words. They say the White House, led by President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk, is waging a “witch hunt” against federal workers.
At a packed town hall in Silver Spring, Democratic lawmakers Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Rep. Jamie Raskin rallied against the mass layoffs sweeping through federal agencies. Hundreds of concerned civil servants filled the room, many fearing for their jobs.
“Elon Musk and his band of misfit, post-pubescent betrayers of America and computer hackers are not opponents of corruption,” Raskin said, drawing cheers. “They are agents of corruption.”
The event marked the latest Democratic pushback against Trump’s aggressive campaign to shrink the federal workforce. Maryland, home to around 160,000 federal workers, is feeling the squeeze more than most.
Trump’s Workforce Cuts Send Shockwaves Through Maryland
Trump campaigned on slashing the size of the federal government. Within a month of his second inauguration, he and Musk have started making good on that promise.
DOGE, created to eliminate “government inefficiency,” is offering buyouts and executing sweeping job cuts. Some agencies have been hit harder than others, but the full scale of the layoffs remains unclear.
For Maryland, a state heavily reliant on federal employment, the consequences could be severe. Neighboring Virginia has diversified its economy, but Maryland remains deeply tied to government jobs.
“There’s certainly an overreliance,” said Del. Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick). “Virginia, other neighboring states to D.C., have done a much better job at diversifying their economy.”
Probationary Employees Among First to Go
One of the administration’s most controversial moves has been its targeted layoffs of probationary employees—workers who haven’t yet secured full career status.
Raskin said he has personally spoken to at least a dozen federal employees who were let go. These workers, many of whom were hired in the last two years, lack the job protections afforded to more senior staff.
Alsobrooks made clear that Democrats alone cannot stop the firings. “I keep hearing people say, ‘What are the Democrats going to do?’ The people who at this moment, to me, are complicit are the Republicans,” she said. “They fall right in line, and they have to also begin to be accountable for what is happening now.”
Economic Fallout: What Comes Next?
The impact of these cuts will extend beyond the workers themselves. With fewer jobs in Maryland, local businesses could see declining sales, and state tax revenues may take a hit.
While some argue that reducing federal employment is necessary, others see it as an ideological attack on government institutions. Either way, for Maryland’s federal workers, uncertainty looms large.
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