February 26th 2025.
For many years, working for the federal government has been a reliable way for Black individuals to achieve financial stability and build their wealth. These jobs not only offer competitive salaries, but also provide opportunities for professional growth and help combat racial discrimination. In fact, according to a report from the Office of Personnel Management, almost 20% of federal workers identify as Black. This means that a significant number of Black Americans have been able to rise out of poverty and join the middle class thanks to these government jobs.
However, this once-promising path to financial stability is now under threat due to sweeping budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration. Spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, these cuts have put many Black federal workers at risk of losing their jobs and jeopardizing their economic progress.
Sheria Smith, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, which represents Education Department employees, expressed her concern about the impact of these cuts on the Black community. She told NBC News, "The federal workforce was a means to help build the Black middle class. It hired Black Americans at a higher rate than private employers."
One of the departments facing the possibility of closure is the Department of Education, where almost 30% of the workforce is made up of Black employees, according to a 2024 department report. This decision could have far-reaching consequences and disproportionately affect the Black community.
The number of Black employees in federal positions has already been drastically reduced due to these cuts. Of the 74 employees who have been laid off so far, 60 of them were Black, as revealed by Smith. At the Department of Health and Human Services, which reportedly lost over 1,300 employees, Black workers made up 20% of the workforce. Similarly, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which recently cut 1,000 positions, 24% of the staff were Black.
A Department of Transportation employee in Washington, D.C., who wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, shared their experience of working in this environment. They stated, "Morale is so low. People who are dedicated to their jobs are being let go. Everyone is on edge, wondering who will be next."
This uncertainty has also affected the retirement plans of many long-term employees. The anonymous staffer, who was planning to retire in a few years, now worries that these cuts may force them to leave their job earlier than planned. "I wanted to reach 20 or even 25 years of service, but now I don't think I will make it," they said. "It's hard to be productive when you are constantly worried about losing your job."
Ros Patterson, a 62-year-old employee at the Veterans Administration in Cole Valley, Illinois, was abruptly informed over the phone that she was being let go, despite working there for almost a year. She was given only 90 minutes to return her company laptop. Despite being a longtime Trump supporter, she doesn't blame the president for her dismissal. She only wishes that she had been given more time and respect during the process. "I'm not bitter. It is what it is. I'm not blaming Trump. My issue is with how it was handled. I had no time to process anything or prepare myself. It's just a cold way to be let go," she said. "You would expect better from the government."
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