‘Ride it out’: Trump resisters urged to stay in federal government
Actors are urging federal anti-Trump government lawyers to “ride out” the new administration. They want them to be a stronghold against the policies and actions of the incoming President.
Those who cannot stay on the inside are encouraged to seek jobs in state governments led by Democrats, where they will find better perches from which to fight against Donald Trump.
Legal experts gave advice in a webinar by the American Constitution Society last week, entitled “Should i stay or should i go?” The webinar pondered on the choices facing federal employees that aren’t happy to work for Mr. Trump.
The most important advice was to stay, if you can.
|
Barbara McQuade was a U.S. Attorney until the early days of the Trump administration, when she was removed.
“You could just wait and see what happens,” said McQuade. She is now a Professor at the University of Michigan Law School.
They said that federal employees should determine what ethical or legal lines they will not cross. Lawyers were warned to be ready to resign, if it makes a statement. However, they were encouraged to give it a try first.
Jennifer Nou, law professor at University of Chicago said: “I hope that you will consider staying.”
The main concern was that they would not be given the opportunity.
Mr. Trump promised to control the federal workforce, which he referred to in some cases as the “deep-state” and to sideline those that don’t agree with his plans.
This includes a plan to strip civil servant protections from thousands of employees who are deemed to have jobs that deal with policy. According to the theory, these jobs are crucial to carrying out a president’s will and that employees who hinder this should be more easily moved or fired.
On the ACS webinar, the lawyers said that they did not believe the culling to be as severe as some people fear and said the Biden Administration has taken steps to hinder Mr. Trump. The unwinding of these steps will take some time, and this issue is likely to end up in court.
The lawyers also warned their employees not to take their disagreements “too far” unless they were clear cases of “legal violations.”
Ms. N. said: “I hope nothing I say will be misinterpreted as me endorsing the resistance.”
She added that civil servants who are working on the issue should keep a detailed record of evidence, in hopes it will be used to derail Trump’s policy during future litigation.
She said that the documentation played a very important role.
Jill Habig is the founder of Public Rights Project. She said that a lot tough talk regarding federal workers was “bluster”, but employees need to know where to draw the line.
As a federal employee, you are expected to put aside your political or policy opinions. She said that you are not expected to ignore your legal and ethical obligations.
The lawyers suggested that those who stay could use methods to temper overzealous Trump’s actions. For example, they can become a whistleblower, or ask their union to raise an issue.
Joe Spielberger is a lawyer with the Project on Government Oversight. He said that mass resignations are effective weapons against Trump during his first term.
Those who leave are encouraged to find other jobs, especially in states led by Democrats, where they can continue to fight Mr. Trump, or work around him, to make progress on immigration, environmental, or health issues.
Ms. Habi said that she expected the Attorney General’s Offices in New York, Massachusetts and Washington State to post positions soon.
She said that local prosecutors and city councils are also good places to go for those who want “to push back against any lawlessness of this administration.”
The Washington Times reached out to Trump’s team for this article.
No Comments