Displaced Federal Workers Protest on Capitol Steps, Pleading with Lawmakers to Safeguard the Public Services They Previously Executed

In a recent development, a group of former federal employees, backed by the Department of Government Efficiency (led by Elon Musk), have been meeting weekly on Capitol Hill to advocate for the reversal of President Donald Trump's staff and program cuts.

Among the former employees is Sabrina Valenti, who worked for the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Valenti's career at NOAA came to an abrupt end when she received a termination notice for a job she didn't have.

Another affected individual is Mack Schroeder, a budget analyst at the Health and Human Services Department's Administration for Community Living. Schroeder lost his job during the mass firing of probationary employees and is currently on paid administrative leave.

The work of Valenti's agency, NOAA, is crucial for building barrier islands that shield Louisiana from hurricanes. Many of the former federal employees, who lost their dream jobs when their positions were cut, urged lawmakers to ensure that work such as food safety inspections and international HIV prevention will continue despite the workforce cuts.

On Tuesday, the group held a sit-in on the Capitol steps, with Democratic members of Congress urging them to continue their advocacy. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., addressed a group of approximately 40 recently laid off or fired federal employees on the steps of the Capitol Building.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., walked in the other direction after hearing that they were fired government workers, while Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Schroeder that he "probably deserved" to lose his job because he "seems like a clown." Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., talked with the former federal employees at the sit-in after being called over.

The Commerce Department, NOAA's parent agency, did not respond to a request for comment. The directives to bring back the fired probationary employees have been paused, but the former federal employees are not deterred. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., promised to tell the stories of these former federal employees to the public to make people understand the impact of the administration's actions.

On Wednesday, the group is expected to continue their advocacy efforts, hoping to reverse the staff and program cuts and restore the jobs of the affected federal employees.