1A Checking In On The Federal Workforce As The Government Shuts Down
Oct 1, 2025
Join Lisa Desjardins, PBS NewsHour correspondent, Max Steyer, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, and Eileen Sullivan, New York Times reporter, as they navigate the fallout from a massive government shutdown. Discover the chaos behind the exodus of over 150,000 federal employees and the emotional toll on those who remain. They address how the administration's tactics leverage layoffs, the confusion within agencies, and the broader economic impacts, all while challenging public perceptions of federal workers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Employees Left In The Dark
- Eileen Sullivan described agencies giving late, confusing shutdown guidance to staff.
- Some employees learned their furlough status only after the shutdown started and had to scramble to close out work.
Deferred Resignation Left Worker Stranded
- Laura accepted a Deferred Resignation Program offer and then lost her entire department.
- She struggled to find work and paid $850 for one month of private health insurance.
Nationwide Effects, Not Just Washington
- Layoffs are concentrated across the country, not just in D.C., and many impacts are unnecessary.
- Max Steyer emphasizes this political agenda risks long-term institutional damage and public harm.
