In response to the Trump administration’s threat to conduct mass firings of government employees if there is a government shutdown, Tim Whitehouse, Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, issued the following statement:
“The American people rely on non-partisan and professional civil servants to serve the public. There are more than two million civil servants who work in every community across our country. They ensure our food and medicine are safe, our air and water are clean, and our children have access to education. The Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on them have put all of us at risk.
“The plan to exploit a shutdown to purge federal workers is illegal, unconstitutional, and deeply disturbing. A shutdown triggers furloughs, not firings. To weaponize it as a tool to destroy the civil service would mark a dangerous slide into lawlessness and further consolidate power in the Executive Branch.
“This is a five-alarm fire — not just for civil servants, but for the rule of law and all Americans. This action will absolutely do further damage to our already fragile economy.
“For more than 30 years, PEER has defended whistleblowers and supported public servants committed to scientific integrity. We will stand with federal workers and provide legal and organizational support to fight back against this unlawful and dangerous plan.”
