Federal workers spoke to reporters after DOGE fired them. Now they face investigation.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

May 9, 2025 / 6:05 PM EDT


At least half a dozen USAID employees who spoke to reporters after they thought they had been fired by the Trump administration have now received notices from the foreign aid agency's internal human resources office that they are facing investigation for participating in interviews.

The workers, whose formal dismissal date was delayed after leaders encountered bureaucratic snags, received an email in recent days carrying the subject line, "Administrative inquiry." The email accused them of having "engaged with the press/media without authorization" and threatened "disciplinary action" including "removal from the U.S. Agency for International Development."

The emails were sent by Employment Labor Relations, which is part of the USAID's internal HR structure, and manages most disciplinary and performance complaints. "It's total intimidation," said Randy Chester, the vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, which is the union that represents USAID employees. He said employees started receiving notices on Monday. The union shared the email exclusively with CBS.

"Federal employees do not surrender their constitutional rights when they take public service jobs," said Abbe Lowell, a veteran Washington, D.C., attorney who launched his own firm last week to protect public officials from retaliation. Lowell is known for representing high-profile political figures including Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Hunter Biden. "This so-called 'inquiry' does not appear to be about enforcing any rules so much as it's trying to silence criticism," he said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-usaid-federal-workers-spoke-to-reporters-investigation/

[Leghorn21]

1. FUCK YOOOOUUUUUUUU

It’s all yours, Lowell - kindly mop the floor with these worthless fucks

What a mass squandering of America’s time, talent and money, good Christ I hate these motherfuckers

[COL Mustard]

3. Who in their right mind would join FEDGOV today?

My time is nearly up but I'm still hanging in there and will until they decide that I need to go or I decide it's time. I'm hoping for my choice, but if the sweetener is sweet enough I can go anytime. Once gone, no going back. Too many other things to do with my remaining time on Earth.

[Leghorn21]

7. Oh, so glad you have some leeway here, COL - doesn't sound as if you'll be in a nightmare situation if your gig

evaporates - GOOD

Hang tough!!!

[0rganism]

9. Perhaps the same people who'd break into the capitol after losing an election?

Hang in there, CM -- survive and flourish beyond fascist control, it'll piss them off.

[Chi67]

2. Go get em!

Lowell, mop the floor with their asses! Then sue the fuck out of them!

[orangecrush]

4. Lawsuit incoming

[bronxiteforever]

5. The promised Trump transparency.

[Firestorm49]

6. Well, so much for free speech.

[republianmushroom]

8. Governing by republicans.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. Even after they were fired they can't speak? They no longer worked for the agency after being fired.

This alone sounds screwed up, wrong. I hope that they are able to continue to speak out, fight these trumped-up charges, perhaps their Union (if they have one for their area) will support them too.

These firings are going to screw up the governmental processes being that they seem to be unplanned and no rhythm or methodology to them as well as possibly being illegal. The government in short represents the culmination of thousands of laws passed over decades and decades (and longer) by representatives of Congress and the Executive branch of government, it didn't just spring up out of thin air.

[swampthingdc]

11. War on U.S. citizens by cheaters LLC it tiz then? 2025"

~ I have detailed files ? Since day before covid lockdown or so :
MUCH to do w. that cellphone.. and a fb app. . led to that woman's death a the capitol riot.
Irony it was two * that lost their lives on that day .

Holdfast; bring on Gen. Milley and the massive * . ever seen FURY" ? Tank flick. Perhaps the BEAST?
IDA VOX / One Peopels Project is the goods. YT / Sons of liberty (black red striped logo) add that.