The executive orders signed by President Donald Trump that target federal employees have sparked significant concern among Virginia Democrats, especially considering the large number of federal workers in the state.
These orders, including efforts to strip protections from career employees and push for a return to in-person work, are seen as a potential disruption to the day-to-day operations of the government.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan raised alarms about the long-term consequences for federal employees, warning that the changes could undermine their ability to hold the executive branch accountable.
Specifically, the move to recategorize federal employees under the controversial Schedule F designation, which would make it easier to dismiss them, is viewed as a strategic step to shift control of the federal government and consolidate power in the executive branch.
This shift could have far-reaching implications for how the government functions, especially in a state like Virginia, where federal employment is a significant economic factor.
The impact on employees’ job security and their ability to challenge abuses of power could also have a broader effect on the government’s transparency and accountability.
Virginia’s Democratic representatives are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating a strong reaction from their constituents.