The article by Rachel Cohen discusses the ongoing assaults by Elon Musk and the Trump administration on the federal civil workforce, drawing parallels to historical attacks on public school teachers. Cohen outlines how efforts to undermine the integrity and reliability of federal employees mirror strategies used against educators, portraying both groups as part of a “deep state” or ideological threat. The article highlights the potential consequences of these attacks, including the degradation of essential public services, a decline in interest in federal careers, and the undermining of public trust and accountability. Cohen warns that just like the education sector has suffered from similar attacks over the decades, the civil service could face lasting detrimental effects, eroding democracy's backbone.

Key Points:

• Elon Musk and Trump's administration are attacking the federal civil workforce, paralleling historical attacks on public school teachers.
• Approximately 75,000 federal employees accepted offers for “deferred resignation,” with potentially thousands more facing termination.
• Both civil servants and educators are characterized as “deep state” threats by conservatives, drawing from a long-standing narrative.
• Attacks on public services threaten the stability of essential functions in government and decrease job attractiveness in the public sector.
• A decline in interest and satisfaction in teaching has been observed, compounded by political and economic challenges.
• The article warns that harming the public workforce could have far-reaching consequences for democratic governance and public accountability.
  Link to Article