The Civil Service Is Personal to Me – As Is the Threat to It by Donald Trump, Glenn Youngkin and the Republican Party

by Alvina McHale of Arlington

If Donald Trump wins in November, Virginia’s Governor is not concerned in the least about the possibility that hundreds of thousands of Virginians’ federal civil service jobs could be on the chopping block. As we head into the final months before the election, it is particularly striking that there has been no change in the Governor’s position.

I find it disturbing how little he understands or respects government service.

I see the current political reality through the lens of a retired public servant whose career began on Capitol Hill in 1969 and ended with 30-plus years with the U.S. Treasury Department. For decades, I was proud to be a civil servant and represent the interests of the American people. My work colleagues were some of the finest people I ever met.

Some politicians are willing to use federal employees to their advantage. I remember several occasions when a U.S. Vice President toured IRS Service Centers to advertise the production of tax rebate checks. Center Directors and staff planned the tours, worked with Secret Service, explained how their systems worked, and hosted a media event requested by the Vice President’s office. I particularly remember the end of one very long day in Philadelphia when the Vice President and his encourage left the building without thanking anyone.

There was the Republican Senate Finance Committee Chairman who brought hooded IRS employees to the witness table at a hearing in an attempt to trash the agency. Many years later, I was the Treasury representative at Making Home Affordable events across the country. Sadly, it was late in the financial crisis by the time Barack Obama was sworn in as President and too many people had already lost jobs.  Others were trapped in mortgages where homeowners paid interest on loans but not one dime went toward reducing the original mortgage amount. At least we spoke truth to homeowners and helped guide them as to what options they did have.

It is time to face today’s current political realities. Virginia’s Republican Governor and the Republican candidate for President are prepared to risk the financial future of a highly significant number of Virginians, their families, and the economy of the entire Commonwealth. We are not without an exit strategy. All Virginians need to stand up and speak out with their votes in November.