Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is sweet) (2 Viewers)

[djmich]

Does anyone know if the Department of Ed still exists?

Yes, it exists. It would require Congressional action to abolish it.

Same thing for USAID?

I thought so but practically I don’t think it matters, the executive branch seems to have enough administrative power to render it in practice abolished.

 

[djmich]

Does anyone know if the Department of Ed still exists?

Yes, it exists. It would require Congressional action to abolish it.

Same thing for USAID?

I thought so but practically I don’t think it matters, the executive branch seems to have enough administrative power to render it in practice abolished.

Cool system. USAID is de jure an entity but de facto it no longer exists? Rule of law working really well...

Well you can’t complain about the system and then imply rule of law isn’t working. I mean you can complain, but unless a court finds it unlawful then the system and rule of law are working as designed. Which leaves you with changing the system.

 

[dgreen]

Does anyone know if the Department of Ed still exists?

Yes, it exists. It would require Congressional action to abolish it.

Same thing for USAID?

I think so. And, I assume, Congress mandates that certain things need to be accomplished so I’m not sure if the executive branch even has the power to completely gut an agency to the point that it can’t do the things they are mandated to do. But I could be wrong. Hopefully some lawyers can chime in.

 

[-OZ-]

but unless a court finds it unlawful then the system and rule of law are working as designed.

That’s really not accurate. When the people in power just choose to not follow and enforce selected laws put in place by those who went before them, almost entirely based on the whims of one person, the rule of law is not working.

 

[djmich]

but unless a court finds it unlawful then the system and rule of law are working as designed.

That’s really not accurate. When the people in power just choose to not follow and enforce selected laws put in place by those who went before them, almost entirely based on the whims of one person, the rule of law is not working.

If a court finds it lawful…why is the rule of law not working? Maybe the rule of keep doing what the guy before you was doing is not working?

 

[-OZ-]

but unless a court finds it unlawful then the system and rule of law are working as designed.

That’s really not accurate. When the people in power just choose to not follow and enforce selected laws put in place by those who went before them, almost entirely based on the whims of one person, the rule of law is not working.

If a court finds it lawful…why is the rule of law not working? Maybe the rule of keep doing what the guy before you was doing is not working?

First, courts make mistakes and there’s been plenty of examples of courts disagreeing with each other. But more importantly your first response:

unless a court finds it unlawful

Is not the same as a court finding it lawful.

 

[Stoneworker]

but unless a court finds it unlawful then the system and rule of law are working as designed.

That’s really not accurate. When the people in power just choose to not follow and enforce selected laws put in place by those who went before them, almost entirely based on the whims of one person, the rule of law is not working.

The rule of law is working, but perhaps just not the way you may personally want it to.

What's accurate is that USAID reports to State (and if they actually had followed that chain-of-command recently instead of behaving like a privately-funded NGO, then perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess).

What's also accurate is that the president (who is one person) can "propose and execute structural changes related to USAID and State, including shifting certain functions from USAID to State."

Section 1522 of that law stated that “the Administrator of the Agency for International Development,appointed pursuant to section 624(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2384(a)), shall report to and be under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State.”

Pursuant to congressional notification procedures noted below, the Administration can propose and execute structural changes related to USAID and State, including shifting certain functions from USAID to State.

As USAID’s internal organization is not set in statute, Administrations have sometimes changed USAID’s internal structure, often reflecting a President’s foreign policy priorities and foreign assistance initiatives

Congressional Research Service Note - 2/3/2025

 

[Ilov80s]

Does anyone know if the Department of Ed still exists?

Yes, it exists. It would require Congressional action to abolish it.

you can see how it’s confusing when a piece of paper says one thing but the person has exclusive access to all government agencies says otherwise. This would potentially actually affect me quite a bit considering the role and money the DOE plays in educating students with disabilities which is my job. Not sure how exactly. They can’t afford me anymore and I lose my job? There’s no enforcement of special ed law so I don’t have to do as much paperwork? Possibilities are all over the place

You don't work for the Fed Gov but for a state or private recipient of funds?

Yeah I am a special ed teacher

Gotcha, you’d hope the funding is still there…at least that’s what they’re saying. Just not sure if it would be distributed in the same way. Hope it works out for you, I’m sure the uncertainty sucks.

I hope so. I get there is certainly waste and plenty of times I've strongly disagreed with the DoE. That said, I can't imagine a politically significant amount of people in this country actually want to see disabled kids get less money for their education.

 

[3C's]

This is... unfortunate.

'It's been chaotic': Veterans Affair employee shares concerns over federal policies affecting hiring

One Milwaukee VA employee reached out to TMJ4 and said they can not complete job offer processing for critical positions, including nurses and doctors.

www.tmj4.com

 

[-OZ-]

The rule of law is working, but perhaps just not the way you may personally want it to.

It may work eventually and I hope you’re right overall. USAID is just one example here. Arnaud Amalric would be proud.

 

[fatness]

Just great.

" The federal hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump has affected the hiring of a crucial group of federal workers: firefighters.

The freeze comes at a critical time, when fire departments across the country would typically onboard thousands of seasonal federal firefighters in preparation for wildfires in the spring and summer. “It’s going to be really bad, really quick,” said Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going,” McLane told CNN on Friday. “The precedent that we’ve seen over the last few decades at this point is making us pretty certain that it’s going to be a big fire season again.”"

 

[belljr]

Just great.

" The federal hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump has affected the hiring of a crucial group of federal workers: firefighters.

The freeze comes at a critical time, when fire departments across the country would typically onboard thousands of seasonal federal firefighters in preparation for wildfires in the spring and summer. “It’s going to be really bad, really quick,” said Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going,” McLane told CNN on Friday. “The precedent that we’ve seen over the last few decades at this point is making us pretty certain that it’s going to be a big fire season again.”"

There was another article about VA doctors and nurses in Milwaukee can't get hired

 

[-OZ-]

Just great.

" The federal hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump has affected the hiring of a crucial group of federal workers: firefighters.

The freeze comes at a critical time, when fire departments across the country would typically onboard thousands of seasonal federal firefighters in preparation for wildfires in the spring and summer. “It’s going to be really bad, really quick,” said Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going,” McLane told CNN on Friday. “The precedent that we’ve seen over the last few decades at this point is making us pretty certain that it’s going to be a big fire season again.”"

It’s amazing that they aren’t exempted.

 

[BassNBrew]

Just great.

" The federal hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump has affected the hiring of a crucial group of federal workers: firefighters.

The freeze comes at a critical time, when fire departments across the country would typically onboard thousands of seasonal federal firefighters in preparation for wildfires in the spring and summer. “It’s going to be really bad, really quick,” said Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going,” McLane told CNN on Friday. “The precedent that we’ve seen over the last few decades at this point is making us pretty certain that it’s going to be a big fire season again.”"

That's okay, they just have to open up the beautiful water and all will be well.

Hard stop guys. Not just 3Cs, all of you. I want to continue to hear from our government fbgs about what’s happening on the inside and how they are impacted. Don’t by selfish get this thread locked because you want to make a political point.

 

[Ilov80s]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

 

[-OZ-]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

“John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it”

 

[Stoneworker]

BostonCNN —
A federal judge has for now extended a pause on the deadline set by the Trump administration for federal workers to accept a deferred resignation offer and temporarily prohibited the government from soliciting more so-called buyouts.

The temporary restraining order announced from the bench on Monday by US District Judge George O’Toole will remain in place until the judge decides whether he should indefinitely pause the offer’s deadline pending further court proceedings over the legality of the buyout program.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

OOFFF DHS is embarrassing, the entire coast guard got this email today to update our email signatures to be uniform across all of DHS, the most part is the deputy didn't follow the signature block format that he sent out.

Colleagues,

In our ongoing efforts to maintain a professional and cohesive image, we are implementing a standardized email signature block for all employees across the organization. This initiative will help ensure consistency in our communications.

Effective February 10, 2025, please update your email signature block to the following format:

* [Your Full Name]*
[Your Job Title]
[Your Department/Division]
[Your Office/Branch]
[Your Contact Number(s)]

Please ensure that your signature block is updated in all email accounts and devices you use for work-related communication. If you have any questions or need assistance with updating your signature block, please contact your IT Helpdesk.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. By adopting a standardized email signature, we can present a unified and professional image to our stakeholders and to the public.

Sincerely,

R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management

 

[FarFromHome]

OOFFF DHS is embarrassing, the entire coast guard got this email today to update our email signatures to be uniform across all of DHS, the most part is the deputy didn't follow the signature block format that he sent out.

Colleagues,

In our ongoing efforts to maintain a professional and cohesive image, we are implementing a standardized email signature block for all employees across the organization. This initiative will help ensure consistency in our communications.

Effective February 10, 2025, please update your email signature block to the following format:

* [Your Full Name]*
[Your Job Title]
[Your Department/Division]
[Your Office/Branch]
[Your Contact Number(s)]

Please ensure that your signature block is updated in all email accounts and devices you use for work-related communication. If you have any questions or need assistance with updating your signature block, please contact your IT Helpdesk.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. By adopting a standardized email signature, we can present a unified and professional image to our stakeholders and to the public.

Sincerely,

R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management

I guess I don't understand the issue here. Nearly every job I have had has had a required, very specific signature block . I couldnt care less about them requiring that of me .

 

[dgreen]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

They have the power to interpret and make a judgement on whether whatever is brought before them in court is unconstitutional.

 

[Ilov80s]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

I am certainly not the person to answer that question. I know there are questions about the legality of the move made the executive branch since it's been funded by Congress, violations to some kind of privacy act and then the big piece was the danger that it could cause irreversible damage to some people- for example aids working in Syria who have been cut off from contact, safety, etc. This has never happened before where an executive has unilaterally closed a department like this so my guess is the judge is airing on the side of caution while those above them sort it out. But again, there are surely people here who know 100x more about the functioning of these government departments than I.

 

[Ilov80s]

OOFFF DHS is embarrassing, the entire coast guard got this email today to update our email signatures to be uniform across all of DHS, the most part is the deputy didn't follow the signature block format that he sent out.

Colleagues,

In our ongoing efforts to maintain a professional and cohesive image, we are implementing a standardized email signature block for all employees across the organization. This initiative will help ensure consistency in our communications.

Effective February 10, 2025, please update your email signature block to the following format:

* [Your Full Name]*
[Your Job Title]
[Your Department/Division]
[Your Office/Branch]
[Your Contact Number(s)]

Please ensure that your signature block is updated in all email accounts and devices you use for work-related communication. If you have any questions or need assistance with updating your signature block, please contact your IT Helpdesk.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. By adopting a standardized email signature, we can present a unified and professional image to our stakeholders and to the public.

Sincerely,

R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management

I guess I don't understand the issue here. Nearly every job I have had has had a required, very specific signature block . I couldnt care less about them requiring that of me .

I think he was just laughing that the deputy requesting the new signature block wasn't using it themselves. That's just the kind of funny incompetence we probably all see in our jobs no matter where we work. As a teacher, I've had so many presentations and workshops on effective teaching where the people presenting to us don't follow any of the strategies they are trying to convince us of. It's just funny.

 

[Max Power]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

They have the power to interpret and make a judgement on whether whatever is brought before them in court is unconstitutional.

And to me the initial administrative leave doesn't appear to be unconstitutional.

Not sure if this is the same ruling as the judge trying to unfreeze funds, but that is well outside scope. Same for the one who made a ruling determining who is allowed to access dept of treasury data... well outside scope.

I'm fine with it playing out in the courts, but this is becoming lawfare.

 

[dgreen]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

They have the power to interpret and make a judgement on whether whatever is brought before them in court is unconstitutional.

And to me the initial administrative leave doesn't appear to be unconstitutional.

Not sure if this is the same ruling as the judge trying to unfreeze funds, but that is well outside scope. Same for the one who made a ruling determining who is allowed to access dept of treasury data... well outside scope.

I'm fine with it playing out in the courts, but this is becoming lawfare.

I guess the argument would be that there are laws on how those funds are to be used and there are laws about who can access data, so a judge will determine if what’s been done violates those laws. For the funds, I feel like all they had to do was include something in the upcoming budget that allowed this change of how funds are being used.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

OOFFF DHS is embarrassing, the entire coast guard got this email today to update our email signatures to be uniform across all of DHS, the most part is the deputy didn't follow the signature block format that he sent out.

Colleagues,

In our ongoing efforts to maintain a professional and cohesive image, we are implementing a standardized email signature block for all employees across the organization. This initiative will help ensure consistency in our communications.

Effective February 10, 2025, please update your email signature block to the following format:

* [Your Full Name]*
[Your Job Title]
[Your Department/Division]
[Your Office/Branch]
[Your Contact Number(s)]

Please ensure that your signature block is updated in all email accounts and devices you use for work-related communication. If you have any questions or need assistance with updating your signature block, please contact your IT Helpdesk.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. By adopting a standardized email signature, we can present a unified and professional image to our stakeholders and to the public.

Sincerely,

R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management

I guess I don't understand the issue here. Nearly every job I have had has had a required, very specific signature block . I couldnt care less about them requiring that of me .

cool, I’m guessing companies with maybe a few hundred to thousands? This went to the entirety of dhs at a time when we are worrying about government waste and yet this is some persons job who can’t even follow their own directions

 

[Mookie]

Just great.

" The federal hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump has affected the hiring of a crucial group of federal workers: firefighters.

The freeze comes at a critical time, when fire departments across the country would typically onboard thousands of seasonal federal firefighters in preparation for wildfires in the spring and summer. “It’s going to be really bad, really quick,” said Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going,” McLane told CNN on Friday. “The precedent that we’ve seen over the last few decades at this point is making us pretty certain that it’s going to be a big fire season again.”"

My son has been a wildlands firefighter for the past 4 years. Last year, he worked on a hot shot crew out of Southern Oregon. Last fall he moved to Bozeman, MT and was hired to be on a rappelling crew. Even though he was offered the Job in December, he's considered a seasonal employee and was told to wait until February to get onboarded. Well, it's now looking like March/April and nobody at USFS has any clue if that's accurate as they are all in a state of limbo. He's starting to explore other options and I'd guess that many others are doing the same.

 

[the moops]

Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

Of course they do

 

[Ilov80s]

Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

Of course they do

Right there is no doubt they do. In this scenario, I am not sure. But there are plenty of examples of the courts overturning executive orders. Truman’s executive orders to nationalize the steel mills were overturned.

 

[Don Quixote]

OOFFF DHS is embarrassing, the entire coast guard got this email today to update our email signatures to be uniform across all of DHS, the most part is the deputy didn't follow the signature block format that he sent out.

Colleagues,

In our ongoing efforts to maintain a professional and cohesive image, we are implementing a standardized email signature block for all employees across the organization. This initiative will help ensure consistency in our communications.

Effective February 10, 2025, please update your email signature block to the following format:

* [Your Full Name]*
[Your Job Title]
[Your Department/Division]
[Your Office/Branch]
[Your Contact Number(s)]

Please ensure that your signature block is updated in all email accounts and devices you use for work-related communication. If you have any questions or need assistance with updating your signature block, please contact your IT Helpdesk.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. By adopting a standardized email signature, we can present a unified and professional image to our stakeholders and to the public.

Sincerely,

R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management

I guess I don't understand the issue here. Nearly every job I have had has had a required, very specific signature block . I couldnt care less about them requiring that of me .

I often see people including their preferred pronouns in their blocks. I guess this removes anyone who would include a He/Him, They/Them designation..

No more need to think before printing either.

 

[rockaction]

Truman’s executive orders to nationalize the steel mills were overturned.

It's Justice Jackson's famous concurrence about what to do when two branches are fighting over the power to do something.

AI kicks ***. Here's the overview of the case and policy.

In the 1952 Supreme Court case Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, Justice Robert Jackson wrote a concurring opinion that established a framework for evaluating the president's power. This framework is still used today.

Jackson's framework

Category 1
The president's power is greatest when Congress expressly or impliedly authorizes an action

Category 2
When Congress is silent on an action, the president must rely on his executive power

Category 3
When the president takes action that goes against Congress, his power is at its lowest

Application to the Steel Seizure Case
Jackson applied his framework to the case and found that President Truman's order to seize steel mills was unconstitutional. Truman's order fell into the third category because he acted without congressional authorization. Jackson argued that upholding the order would disrupt the balance of powers.

Impact of the case
The Youngstown case is considered a landmark decision that limited the president's power to seize private property. It's also considered a key framework for evaluating presidential power.

 

[-OZ-]

Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

Of course they do

Authority? Yes
Power? We’ll see.

 

[Ilov80s]

Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

Of course they do

Authority? Yes
Power? We’ll see.

I don’t see how they do enforce it. Seems pretty clear the executive branch plans to mostly ignore it. $900 million in Dept of Education contracts were just canceled today by Elon. So obviously none of the past rulings are impacting their current behavior/plans.

Josh Marshall (@joshtpm.bsky.social)

Now post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/10/trump-presidency-news/#link-TCFFPUWCF5EQZBJCY25ESTLXJU

bsky.app

 

[TripItUp]

CNN analyst this morning didn't seem to confident that the courts or Congress would be able to stop DOGE. With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles. Could get delayed by certain judges but most certainly those delays will be trumped by a higher court(per CNN analyst.

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

If I'm a govt employee and I do survive the cuts, I would feel very comfortable that I have a job that is valued regardless of political party. If anything it could mean increased responsibilities and maybe even compensation in the long term.

 

[Ilov80s]

CNN analyst this morning didn't seem to confident that the courts or Congress would be able to stop DOGE. With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles. Could get delayed by certain judges but most certainly those delays will be trumped by a higher court(per CNN analyst.

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

If I'm a govt employee and I do survive the cuts, I would feel very comfortable that I have a job that is valued regardless of political party. If anything it could mean increased responsibilities and maybe even compensation in the long term.

The unemployment is going to be something to watch. Not just with government employees but with the billions in money being cut off from research. Many of those research universities are the largest employers in their cities and sometimes whole State. Considering Elon’s entire career has been heavily funded with government research grant you would think he would be more supportive than he has been but I don’t have all the details of what specifically is being cut and what is being saved. It sure seems like he is running things now though.

 

[Sleestak]

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

Maybe. Maybe not.

For one thing, the DRP (deferred resignation program) is a bum's rush that relies on ambiguity and a hard-sell approach, with a key part of the rush being that there is (was?) an imminent deadline. The push loses effectiveness over time. Eventually the DRP expires.

In addition, normal Civ Gov attrition is around 6% annually, no? That would be ~ 120,000 Feds separating during each typical year. Assume that half are retiring, and half are resigning and moving on. So 60,000 Feds would normally have resigned in any given year. The same number have reportedly opted for DRP.

Seems reasonable to me that many of the 60,000 "normal resigners" are taking advantage of an unexpected 8 months pseudo-severance. I mean, what do they have to lose, even if DRP is struck down? They were leaving anyway.

I do think it is reasonable to assume that by your deadline (end of year) we will see an atypically high number of Feds opt for retirement (MRA+30, MRA+10, Early Voluntary). The hostile work environment approach will drive that as the older Feds pull the rip cord. So perhaps the current 60,000 DRPs will be joined by 100,000+ retirees, with the total nearing or even passing your 200,000 number. But I seriously doubt we will see 200,000 DRP-ers.

 

[Capella]

With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles

String approval ratings have nothing at all to do with the law.

 

[Capella]

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

Also the buyout ends whenever this court order is lifted. Could be any day now. They aren’t getting close to 200k with this.

 

[Oracle]

CNN analyst this morning didn't seem to confident that the courts or Congress would be able to stop DOGE. With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles. Could get delayed by certain judges but most certainly those delays will be trumped by a higher court(per CNN analyst.

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

If I'm a govt employee and I do survive the cuts, I would feel very comfortable that I have a job that is valued regardless of political party. If anything it could mean increased responsibilities and maybe even compensation in the long term.

The unemployment is going to be something to watch. Not just with government employees but with the billions in money being cut off from research. Many of those research universities are the largest employers in their cities and sometimes whole State. Considering Elon’s entire career has been heavily funded with government research grant you would think he would be more supportive than he has been but I don’t have all the details of what specifically is being cut and what is being saved. It sure seems like he is running things now though.

1. Department of Energy’s audit was about a week ago. They only accessed our payment and employment systems. Once our audit was done, our funds were unfrozen and we have returned to business as normal. This is fantastic news for the high performance computing group, as we are in the process of building our next super computer (Discovery) and creating a parent company so that all the semiconductors used for the US governments computers are made in the US.
2. My daughter is working on cancer research for her PhD at MIT and her NSF funds have been frozen. They only have about six months worth of “buffer” before they shut down. This will be a blow as they are having tremendous success in the lab.

 

[Max Power]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

They have the power to interpret and make a judgement on whether whatever is brought before them in court is unconstitutional.

And to me the initial administrative leave doesn't appear to be unconstitutional.

Not sure if this is the same ruling as the judge trying to unfreeze funds, but that is well outside scope. Same for the one who made a ruling determining who is allowed to access dept of treasury data... well outside scope.

I'm fine with it playing out in the courts, but this is becoming lawfare.

I guess the argument would be that there are laws on how those funds are to be used and there are laws about who can access data, so a judge will determine if what’s been done violates those laws. For the funds, I feel like all they had to do was include something in the upcoming budget that allowed this change of how funds are being used.

I was listening to a lawyer break this down today and the way he put it, the judicial branch doesn't have power to dictate how the executive branch administers executive actions. If laws are being broken, they can step in, but doesn't appear to be the case which would make the TRO invalid and the executive branch doesn't have to honor the TRO until another court chimes in on the issue.

 

[Ilov80s]

Thanks. That doesn't sound very official to me. Two unnamed officials telling CNN something. It sort of reads like a scare tactic from the government side. They did the same thing with the vaccine mandate, and it had no teeth in the end.

It may not sound very official, but it sure does sound like something this president fella wants to do, right?

Wants to sure, but can he? I don't think so. I think that's why the scare tactic.

He can do anything he wants unless someone stops him.

I feel that's too much of an extreme position to hold. It's becoming the slippery slope argument.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Musk is either going to be remembered as a super villain or a hero.

Yeah, @Ilov80s claim is literally true. Similarly, I can drive as fast as I want unless someone stops me. Speed limit laws are only meaningful if they are enforced. Anyone can do anything they want unless someone stops them.

Good thing we have checks and balances within the government.

It seems like the check has been called. Judges made a ruling, seems like the ruling isn’t being complied with. Who is going to enforce the check?

Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social)

JUST IN: USAID employees say the administration is not complying with Judge NICHOLS' order to prevent the immediate dismantling of the agency. They say employees he ordered reinstated have not been and other actions cut against his order...

bsky.app

Tim in VT (@cmit11.bsky.social)

A judge just said it. The bridge has been crossed. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250210&instance_id=147152&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=76952389&segment_id=190632&user_id=217206a61e834d4a159588b4c483271d

bsky.app

This will have major ramifications for all our government employees here

I don't feel like this falls within the normal scope of checks and balances. Do judges even have the power to override executive branch policy?

They have the power to interpret and make a judgement on whether whatever is brought before them in court is unconstitutional.

And to me the initial administrative leave doesn't appear to be unconstitutional.

Not sure if this is the same ruling as the judge trying to unfreeze funds, but that is well outside scope. Same for the one who made a ruling determining who is allowed to access dept of treasury data... well outside scope.

I'm fine with it playing out in the courts, but this is becoming lawfare.

I guess the argument would be that there are laws on how those funds are to be used and there are laws about who can access data, so a judge will determine if what’s been done violates those laws. For the funds, I feel like all they had to do was include something in the upcoming budget that allowed this change of how funds are being used.

I was listening to a lawyer break this down today and the way he put it, the judicial branch doesn't have power to dictate how the executive branch administers executive actions. If laws are being broken, they can step in, but doesn't appear to be the case which would make the TRO invalid and the executive branch doesn't have to honor the TRO until another court chimes in on the issue.

I think whether we think the court has ruled inappropriately or not, the correct thing for the executive branch to do is follow the order and follow the appropriate legal chains of command if you will. If the court was wrong, it will be overturned. I don’t think it’s a good idea for government business to be done based on whether one branch thinks or feels like the other branch is being unfair. That’s a recipe for disaster. I know I’ve worked at some places where people ignored the chain of command because they felt justified and it always created chaos, resentment, conflict, etc.

 

[MTskibum]

CNN analyst this morning didn't seem to confident that the courts or Congress would be able to stop DOGE. With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles. Could get delayed by certain judges but most certainly those delays will be trumped by a higher court(per CNN analyst.

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

If I'm a govt employee and I do survive the cuts, I would feel very comfortable that I have a job that is valued regardless of political party. If anything it could mean increased responsibilities and maybe even compensation in the long term.

The unemployment is going to be something to watch. Not just with government employees but with the billions in money being cut off from research. Many of those research universities are the largest employers in their cities and sometimes whole State. Considering Elon’s entire career has been heavily funded with government research grant you would think he would be more supportive than he has been but I don’t have all the details of what specifically is being cut and what is being saved. It sure seems like he is running things now though.

I work in big oil, supposedly an industry that was expected to do well under trump. We had large layoffs in the last month. HQ was hit with a 10% reduction in force, along with tons of other restrictions, travel bans, etc.

Unemployment might get bad, fast.

 

[The Z Machine]

CNN analyst this morning didn't seem to confident that the courts or Congress would be able to stop DOGE. With the strong Trump approval ratings I don't see DOGE slowing down as there does not seem to be any meaningful obstacles. Could get delayed by certain judges but most certainly those delays will be trumped by a higher court(per CNN analyst.

It's also widely reported as of this morning that 65K govt employees have taken the buyout. At this pace the number could far exceed 200K by end of year IMHO.

If I'm a govt employee and I do survive the cuts, I would feel very comfortable that I have a job that is valued regardless of political party. If anything it could mean increased responsibilities and maybe even compensation in the long term.

The unemployment is going to be something to watch. Not just with government employees but with the billions in money being cut off from research. Many of those research universities are the largest employers in their cities and sometimes whole State. Considering Elon’s entire career has been heavily funded with government research grant you would think he would be more supportive than he has been but I don’t have all the details of what specifically is being cut and what is being saved. It sure seems like he is running things now though.

I work in big oil, supposedly an industry that was expected to do well under trump. We had large layoffs in the last month. HQ was hit with a 10% reduction in force, along with tons of other restrictions, travel bans, etc.

Unemployment might get bad, fast.

Is the work load tied to oil futures?

 

[MTskibum]

I work in big oil, supposedly an industry that was expected to do well under trump. We had large layoffs in the last month. HQ was hit with a 10% reduction in force, along with tons of other restrictions, travel bans, etc.

Unemployment might get bad, fast.

Is the work load tied to oil futures?

Upstream: drilling, exploration, production, etc.

 

[Sand]

I work in big oil, supposedly an industry that was expected to do well under trump. We had large layoffs in the last month. HQ was hit with a 10% reduction in force, along with tons of other restrictions, travel bans, etc.

Unemployment might get bad, fast.

Is the work load tied to oil futures?

Upstream: drilling, exploration, production, etc.

Oil market has been really soft the last couple years. Not sure why, but evidently your execs think that is going to continue.

 

[Gally]

I work in big oil, supposedly an industry that was expected to do well under trump. We had large layoffs in the last month. HQ was hit with a 10% reduction in force, along with tons of other restrictions, travel bans, etc.

Unemployment might get bad, fast.

Is the work load tied to oil futures?

Upstream: drilling, exploration, production, etc.

Oil market has been really soft the last couple years. Not sure why, but evidently your execs think that is going to continue.

It's because Monty Miller passed away and Tommy Norris is still fighting with the drug cartel. Once that gets cleared up it will rebound. Or once Cooper Norris buys up all those leases and really starts fracking.

 

[belljr]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us other than because.

Been doing my job in some capacity for 17 years and work harder here than I did in the private sector. Just sad

 

[Don Quixote]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us

My wife had a bit of a breakdown today. Her place getting targeted now.

 

[Ilov80s]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us

My wife had a bit of a breakdown today. Her place getting targeted now.

Dept of Ed?

 

[Don Quixote]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us

My wife had a bit of a breakdown today. Her place getting targeted now.

Dept of Ed?

No, a different one.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.