On a seemingly ordinary day, Liz Goggin’s past as a federal employee unexpectedly resurfaced during a brief encounter. While treating her children to ice cream, she met a veteran struggling with housing and health issues. Her instinct was to guide him to the Veterans Health Administration, where she had once helped veterans access necessary services.
However, Goggin realized she no longer held that position, having resigned in June after being twice denied a “Fork in the Road” buyout. All she could offer were tips on navigating the VA, leaving her with a lingering sense of sadness. “I had this real feeling of sadness,” she says. “It definitely sat with me.”
An Exodus of Federal Employees
A year ago, federal employment was synonymous with job security and the opportunity to serve the nation. However, the return of President Trump to the White House in January changed that perception drastically. His administration’s policies led to uncertainty and a significant reduction in the federal workforce.
By the end of 2025, the Office of Personnel Management projects that 317,000 federal employees will have exited government roles. While many were fired, a larger number retired or resigned, fearing job loss. Others, like Goggin, found the new demands and workplace conditions unsustainable.
Among the changes, employees were required to submit weekly accomplishments and report any anti-Christian bias observed. Goggin asserts that such bias was never an issue during her tenure at the VA.
Impact of DEI Crackdown
For some employees, leaving wasn’t voluntary. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump issued an executive order targeting DEI initiatives, labeling them illegal. Mahri Stainnak, who worked with the Office of Personnel Management, was put on leave and later terminated.
Stainnak, who had been involved in promoting diversity in federal employment, now struggles to find stable work. “It’s an incredibly difficult job market right now,” they say. Stainnak’s dismissal has also impacted their family’s health coverage, creating tough financial decisions.
Stainnak has joined a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging discrimination against federal employees involved in DEI roles.
Debating the Impact on Government
President Trump has justified his actions as efforts to eliminate waste and improve government efficiency. However, Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, argues that Trump’s approach is dismantling important government structures, likening it to reverting to a 19th-century patronage system.
According to Stier, the administration’s actions threaten the very fabric of public service, prioritizing private interests over public welfare. Meanwhile, the White House maintains that Trump’s efforts are aligned with making the government more effective.
Personal Stories of Struggle
Individuals like Keri Murphy have experienced firsthand the effects of the administration’s policies. After earning a role at the Commerce Department, Murphy found herself caught in a wave of dismissals of probationary employees. Despite receiving an award for outstanding performance, she was fired.
Legal battles ensued, with temporary reinstatement followed by another dismissal. Although a court ruled the mass firings illegal, it did not mandate reinstatement. Murphy, now in a job with lower pay and no benefits, reflects on the challenges faced since her dismissal.
Finding New Paths
Despite the challenges, some former federal employees are finding success elsewhere. After leaving the VA, Goggin established a private therapy practice, where her skills remain in demand. Although she appreciates the autonomy of her new role, the experience at the VA still resonates with her.
Both Goggin and Murphy express a willingness to return to federal service, albeit under different leadership. They, like many others, hold onto the hope of once again contributing to public service.
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