Effects on my job

I'm a federal worker and have been with the same agency for 34 years, serving the American public. How will the change in administration affect me?

I'm lucky on a number of accounts. My agency is seen as bipartisan and has been supported by both Republicans and Democrats. During the previous Trump administration (::shudder::) we didn't have any issues; it really was business as usual. Last week I searched for my agency in Project 2025 and it looks like the fascists want a difference in focus, but don't want to fire everyone or close the agency.

So hopefully, no big changes.

The one thing I'm concerned about is the telework policy. During the pandemic, my team switched to full time telework, and since it ended, we've been required in the office only one day a week. This has been life-changing for me.

I live about 26 miles north of DC, so when I go into the office it's an 80 minute commute, each way, meaning I spend over 2.5 hours driving and on the Metro. Now, four days a week I have no commute, so I can sleep later and still get to work early. It also means I can work late if I choose and almost every night I check in to answer emails and prep for the following day. I love it. 

If the new administration cancels all telework, it will mean a significant hit for my personal time, my health, and will actually cost the government work, because if I'm forced into the office, I won't be able to work from home after hours. It will also mean a hit to efficiency, because I get a lot more work done at home. There are likely many, many federal workers in the same position as me.

Having said that, the potential damage for me is pretty minimal. I don't want to commute five days a week but I did it for thirty years and can do it again. What I hate to think about are other professional, knowledgeable, dedicated public servants in the DOE, FDA, EPA, and other targeted agencies, who now must fear for their jobs. I hate to think of my colleagues across the government whose jobs will remain but who will be forced to enact hateful, immoral, policies. To be clear, all of this pales in comparison to what's coming for minority groups and immigrants.

Also, if they try to force us to swear allegiance to Trump, rather than the Constitution, I'll say fuck you and retire. I am sure a lot of others will as well. That's probably their plan.