PEERMail | Meeting the Trump Challenge in the Trenches

As we digest the results from last week’s election, there can be no soft-pedaling of the results and consequences. A second Trump term will be devasting for public employees and the environment.

Based on past actions and campaign promises, we can be confident that Trump appointees will, among other things: 

• Attempt to purge the civil service of “rogue bureaucrats” and those who do not display sufficient loyalty to the president. 
• Issue orders contrary to law or that direct agencies to ignore environmental violations.
• Suppress scientific and other technical work to ensure that public records do not undermine their political objectives.
• Invite the “regulated community” to rewrite environmental and public health protections.
• Privatize government functions to benefit well-connected supporters. 

One of the few viable approaches to counter this damaging regression is the type of granular, issue-by-issue, agency-by-agency self-help program offered by PEER providing both legal and advocacy support for public employees to: 

• Defend themselves against political purges and attempts to undermine the federal merit system. 
• Put information into action to safeguard and strengthen, where possible, environmental and public health protections. 
• Enforce transparency by exposing questionable schemes and unlawful activities. 

In addition to this unique approach, we will continue much of our litigation and Freedom of Information Act work that started under the Biden administration.   

We know these times are tough. But at PEER we don’t shy away from a hard job or an important fight. The stakes are too high. Together, we are called to act in these times of challenge and change.  

In Solidarity, 

Tim Whitehouse
Executive Director 

P.S. In these times of change, please consider a special donation to help us in our unique and vital work.  

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