Politics
Public Service Recognition Week comes as many feds face difficult career decisions

Each year, Public Service Recognition Week is a time to show civil servants support for the often under-recognized and incredibly difficult task of delivering services to the public — like the Social Security employee who’s processing a mountain of paperwork to distribute benefits, or the HR specialist who’s managing the complicated requirements involved in shuffling federal employees into, out of and between positions.
But the recognition federal employees are receiving this week is cast against a much darker backdrop this year. It comes as the Trump administration attempts to significantly shrink and reconfigure the federal workforce at a pace and scale not seen in recent memory, maybe ever.
As a result, federal employees have been heading for the exits in droves — either by choice or by force. The administration fired tens of thousands of probationary employees, then later reinstated them, then reversed course once again. And agencies are in the process of eliminating a number of federal positions as part of reductions in force (RIFs), all under the directions of the White House.
At the same time, many federal employees are grappling with the nearly impossible decision of whether to leave their jobs on their own terms through the relaunched deferred resignation program (DRP) or stick it out in the hopes that their positions are still standing after RIFs take place across agencies.
Back in February, about 75,000 federal employees governmentwide applied for the first round of the DRP, according to the Trump administration. But the number of second-round DRP applications, as well as those being accepted into the program, have without a doubt gone up — although we don’t yet know the final tallies.
In an online survey conducted in April, Federal News Network heard from more than 4,500 federal employees on either why they decided to apply for a deferred resignation through their agency, or why they chose to “hold the line.” Out of the survey respondents, nearly 40% said they applied for the DRP at their agency, agreeing to quit their jobs now in exchange for several months of pay. Federal News Network’s survey is non-scientific, meaning that the results do not necessarily reflect the actual numbers of federal employees applying for the DRP.
Source: Federal News Network April 2025 deferred resignation survey of about 4,500 federal employees. The survey is a non-scientific survey of respondents who were self-selected.
With the Office of Personnel Management’s governmentwide “fork in the road” offer earlier this year, many employees said they didn’t apply for a deferred resignation for a number of reasons. Many didn’t trust OPM to follow through on the offer. Others said it felt like they were giving into the Trump administration’s wishes. And still others wanted to keep their jobs out of dedication to their agency’s mission.
Whatever the reason may have been, our survey results showed that nearly 70% of respondents did not consider taking a deferred resignation and did not apply for it in the first round of the offer.
But now reading the tea leaves more closely, many more employees have chosen to exit their jobs on their own terms, rather than face a possibility of being forced out anyway in a RIF. About 70% of respondents in Federal News Network’s survey said they are seeing more of their colleagues take the DRP in the second round.
Source: Federal News Network April 2025 deferred resignation survey of about 4,500 federal employees. The survey is a non-scientific survey of respondents who were self-selected.
“A sinking ship”
The reasons more federal employees now want to apply for the DRP, however, still vary greatly. The survey results show a combination of federal employees who were worried about RIFs, burnt out from the growing pressure coming from the Trump administration or whose initial reservations about the legitimacy of the DRP have been alleviated.
“By now, more employees might have had the time to fully understand the program’s benefits and conditions, making them feel more confident about their decision,” one survey respondent observed. “Any initial skepticism about the program might have faded as employees saw that the promised benefits were delivered to those who participated in the first round.”
In the first round of the deferred resignation program, some saw the risk of leaving as greater than the risk of staying. Now, that feeling has reversed for many.
“People are seeing the reality of the RIF happening in front of them in different parts of the agency and it has become very real,” one employee noted.
Many respondents felt that applying for the second round of the DRP kept their decision in their own hands, rather than leaving it to the agency to determine whether they’d keep their positions. As one survey respondent put it, in comparison to an agency RIF, the DRP is “the lesser of two evil options.”
“I initially thought it was too risky to take the DRP when it was first offered. I believed I’d be able to keep my job,” another respondent wrote. “However, by the time the second DRP was offered, I realized how unstable the government was and that I might lose my position.”
Another respondent wrote, “People were more desperate and afraid of losing their jobs after seeing what happened to the probationary employees. The nature of our work and the makeup of the federal government are changing, and many people were not willing to stay aboard what they perceive as a sinking ship.”
And like many feds these days, one respondent said they made the tough choice to leave public service after spending 20 years in the federal workforce.
“Morale is low and stress is high. Work volumes will increase for those who remain. The daily grind in the current environment is not worth it anymore,” the respondent wrote. “After all, we were just dismissed and made to feel replaceable despite so much dedication to our public service mission for many years.”
Dedication to public service holds strong
Depending on where federal employees are in their career also appears to have an influence on their decision to apply for the second round of the DRP. In the survey, many employees close to retirement, as well as many within the first few years of their careers, saw themselves as ones on the cusp of the finish line, or ones who would be the first to go in a RIF.
“I’m close to retirement anyway and the administration is destroying my agency,” one respondent wrote.
Another said, “I was already terminated as a probationary employee and was confident that I would be terminated during the upcoming RIF.”
Those in the middle of their careers — who are still a ways away from retirement, but tenured enough that they have a better chance of surviving a RIF — may be more likely to choose to stay in their jobs for the time being.
Still, it may be a while before there’s a complete picture of how many federal employees chose to leave their jobs, and for what reason. Many agencies are still sifting through the deferred resignation paperwork to determine who will be accepted into the program, and who will be considered ineligible.
But at least at one agency, the numbers are incredibly telling. The IRS received deferred resignation applications from a whopping 22,000 employees — about one-quarter of the agency’s entire workforce. The IRS later denied about 10% of the employees who applied for the DRP offer. That leaves some 20,000 employees who are expected to walk out the door.
Despite many feds vacating their positions, many others are choosing to stay and weather the storm. That decision also has a wide variety of reasons behind it — some spoke of a need for financial stability or concerns about a tumultuous job market.
But in what feels like an homage to Public Service Recognition Week, federal employees who are staying put said they are choosing to remain hopeful about the future of the civil service and continuing to serve the public as they have for years.
One federal employee who took the survey said they are staying “simply because I don’t want to resign from public service. I refuse to let threats and harassment rule my decision-making about my career.”
Another employee wrote, “I am a public servant and while times are tough, I’m committed to my job and public service.”
And still another respondent said, “It was a tough decision, and I’ve been swinging back and forth for days about what to do. But ultimately what tipped the scale is that I do take pride in my work, and walking away from that was a heartbreaking thought, even with everything I’m being put through.”
The post Public Service Recognition Week comes as many feds face difficult career decisions first appeared on Federal News Network.
Politics
RFK Jr. Drops a Mega Bombshell on mRNA Vaccine Technology (VIDEO)

This article originally appeared on vigilantfox.com and was republished with permission.
In a move that many were hoping for but were not expecting, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy just announced that BARDA will be CANCELING 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts, saving taxpayers about $500 million in the process.
This move delivered a major blow to the biomedical industrial complex, which was hoping to make an mRNA vaccine for just about every disease imaginable.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/foxs-video-aug-5-2025-veed-3.mp4
The reason for this move is grounded in what happened during the COVID debacle, which Kennedy explained in detail.
First, he shared how “mRNA vaccines don’t perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract.”
“mRNA only codes for a small part of the viral proteins, usually a single antigen. One mutation, and the vaccine becomes INEFFECTIVE,” Kennedy said.
The next revelation was a big surprise.
Kennedy confirmed that the COVID shots could have CAUSED the mutations and EXTENDED the pandemic altogether.
He explained:
“The [mRNA] vaccine [platform] paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics. As the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine, millions of people, maybe even you or someone you know, caught the Omicron variant despite being vaccinated. That’s because a single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective.”
Kennedy’s comments echo what vaccinologist Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche and the “conspiracy theorists” have been saying for the better part of four years now.
He warned, “You are generating a breeding ground for even more infectious variants to replicate” when you vaccinate DURING a pandemic.
With the conclusion that mRNA shots are ineffective against respiratory viruses, prolong pandemics, and encourage mutations, Kennedy declared:
“mRNA technology poses MORE risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses.”
As such, Kennedy announced that BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) will be CANCELING 22 mRNA vaccine contracts, saving taxpayers “just under $500 million” in the process.

He clarified that this isn’t a complete indictment of mRNA technology across the board, but when it comes to respiratory diseases, he believes it offers no benefit to humanity.
“That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions,” Kennedy said.

Thanks for reading! I hope this brought you the good news you needed today.
I was banned from Twitter 1.0 three times for sharing information that Kennedy just confirmed.
Like many others, I was labeled a “conspiracy theorist.” Turns out, we were right all along.
Image: Wikipedia Commons
Find more stories like this at VigilantFox.com
The post RFK Jr. Drops a Mega Bombshell on mRNA Vaccine Technology (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Politics
Marjorie Taylor Greene Unloads on the GOP, H1B Immigration, Foreign Aid to Ukraine, Israel

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly criticized President Donald Trump over immigration policy and foreign aid.
Greene responded to Trump’s tariff announcement on India by urging an end to H1-B visas that she claims replace American jobs. Greene also called for stopping funding and weapons to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Greene stated that continued U.S. funding for Kiev betrays the majority of Americans who voted to end foreign wars.
She highlighted Trump’s 2024 election win as a mandate against such involvement. The congresswoman warned that supporting these policies risks losing younger voters permanently.
On the Israel-Gaza conflict, Greene described Israel’s actions as a “genocide” and condemned the starvation in Gaza. She became the first Republican lawmaker to use this term publicly.
Greene emphasized that innocent Palestinian lives, including children and Christians, should not be devalued compared to Israeli ones.
Greene expressed surprise that more conservative colleagues have not spoken out against U.S. support for Israel’s offensive operations.
She argued that funding such wars contradicts a biblical mandate and America’s interests.
The congresswoman clarified her support for Israel’s existence while opposing involvement in its conflicts.
Trump has acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting visible starvation among children despite Netanyahu’s denials.
He mentioned his wife Melania’s distress over images from the region. This marks a softening in Trump’s stance amid ongoing hostilities nearing two years.
Greene’s positions reflect broader shifts in U.S. opinion, with approval of Israel’s Gaza actions dropping to 32 percent per Gallup polls.
Republicans under 50 now view Israel more negatively than positively, according to Pew surveys.
Figures like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson have also criticized Netanyahu’s government.
The congresswoman has voiced growing frustration with the Republican Party’s direction. She questioned whether the GOP is leaving her or if she no longer relates to it.
Greene stated she does not want involvement in the party’s current course on foreign policy and spending.
3Greene warned Trump about delivering on promises like Epstein file transparency to retain base support. She referenced past divergences, including on AI policy in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Despite these splits, Greene affirmed her commitment to America First principles.
Greene suggested her political future may not rely on party establishment backing. She expressed confidence in winning support from Georgia voters independently. However, the congresswoman indicated no plans for higher office in 2026.
The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Unloads on the GOP, H1B Immigration, Foreign Aid to Ukraine, Israel appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Politics
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Files Emergency Petition with Supreme Court to REMOVE Democrat Ringleader Who Fled State to Obstruct Redistricting Vote

State Rep. Gene Wu
Governor Greg Abbott has officially filed an emergency writ of quo warranto with the Texas Supreme Court, seeking the removal of far-left Democrat State Representative Gene Wu from office for abandoning his constitutional duties and fleeing the state in a premeditated scheme to block a GOP-led vote.
According to the explosive 70-page filing, Rep. Wu—Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus—was the ringleader of a carefully orchestrated plan that saw dozens of Democrat lawmakers hop aboard a 76-seat private jet, funded in part by Beto O’Rourke’s political action committee, to escape to Chicago rather than perform their duty during a constitutionally mandated special legislative session.
The petition alleges that Wu and his fellow Democrats deliberately broke quorum to sabotage redistricting reforms and kill flood relief, property tax relief, and school reform legislation, critical priorities for Texans.
“If representatives are free not to show up whenever they choose, then Texans simply do not have a representative government,” the petition reads.
“In fact, they don’t have a functioning government at all. This Court should make clear that a legislator who does not wish to perform his duties will be stripped of them.”
The petition reveals that Wu not only left the state, but actively solicited donations online to help cover fines and expenses—funding his absence with cash from liberal donors.
The document accuses him of potentially violating Texas bribery laws and the state constitution, citing provisions that require forfeiture of office if an official accepts anything of value to withhold their vote.
Wu posted pictures boarding the jet on X, while simultaneously asking followers to “Support Texas House Democrats as we deny quorum.” One image was immediately followed by a donation link.
According to the petition, Beto O’Rourke’s PAC offered to cover the cost of the trip and committed all future donations to lawmakers who fled the state.
Support Texas House Democrats as we deny quorum.
Donate below:@TexasHDC #txlege https://t.co/xw2Z4pF2zO— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) August 3, 2025
The petition concludes:
This case is not a political dispute; it is a constitutional crisis. The current Special Session is set to expire in just two weeks. But Wu apparently has no intention of returning. Instead, he claims the “special session is over.” Permitting him to continue occupying his office so that he can abdicate the duties of that office will only enable future legislators to grind state government to a halt.
Perhaps these absent members expect—someday—to return to Texas and be hailed as heroes who “fought” by fleeing. But in the meantime, they are preventing the Texas Legislature, duly called by the Governor, from addressing the acute needs of Texans across the State.
Every day, their continued absence wastes taxpayer dollars and imperils urgent policy needs, ranging from improved flood response tools to the judicial omnibus bill governing the day-to-day workings of the state courts.
And, in the future, whenever the Governor adds an item on the special session agenda that they find offensive, they may feel empowered to once again flee the State and deny the Article III, Section 5 constitutional mandate. Absent quo warranto, there is no end in sight to this piracy.
The Constitution nowhere envisions Texans signing onto that kind of suicide pact. Legislators may, of course, disagree on specific pieces of legislation.
But our Constitution conceives of deliberation and debate as the official way to process official disagreements. That is why, in addition to laying out general principles for the order of business, the Constitution imposes mandatory duties on members to ensure they will be present to conduct business.
Representative government cannot function if elected officials may monetize their absence, abandon their obligations, and paralyze the Legislature without consequence.
The writ of quo warranto exists precisely to remedy such abuses. And there is still time for this Court to use it here. Ordering Wu’s removal from office would ensure that public office remains a trust exercised in good faith, as opposed to a platform for private gain and governmental sabotage.
It could also begin to make it easier to establish a quorum while the Special Session is still under way. Above all, however, it promises to restrain future abuses. Refusing to address the problem now may simply invite it to recur, always in the final days of a session.
The integrity of Texas’s constitutional order demands this Court’s urgent intervention, and Texas voters are counting on it.
The post Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Files Emergency Petition with Supreme Court to REMOVE Democrat Ringleader Who Fled State to Obstruct Redistricting Vote appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
-
Entertainment5 months ago
New Kid and Family Movies in 2025: Calendar of Release Dates (Updating)
-
Tech5 months ago
The best sexting apps in 2025
-
Tech5 months ago
Every potential TikTok buyer we know about
-
Tech5 months ago
iOS 18.4 developer beta released — heres what you can expect
-
Politics5 months ago
DOGE-ing toward the best Department of Defense ever
-
Tech6 months ago
Are You an RSSMasher?
-
Politics6 months ago
Toxic RINO Susan Collins Is a “NO” on Kash Patel, Trashes Him Ahead of Confirmation Vote
-
Politics6 months ago
After Targeting Chuck Schumer, Acting DC US Attorney Ed Martin Expands ‘Operation Whirlwind’ to Investigate Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia for Calling for “Actual Weapons” Against Elon Musk