Federal Workers Rally in DC to Protect Civil Service

On February 11, federal workers rallied in Washington, DC, to demand Congress protect civil service jobs from political interference, emphasizing the need for nonpartisan federal employment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with other lawmakers, spoke at the 'Rally to Save the Civil Service,' denouncing attempts to politicize these positions as 'unacceptable' and 'un-American.' Organized by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and supported by various unions, the event drew hundreds of participants who held signs advocating for the preservation of civil service integrity. Speakers at the rally included Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who called for stronger protections against political encroachment. The protest was partly a response to past efforts by the Trump administration to reclassify federal jobs, which many believe undermined the merit-based system. Overall, the rally aimed to unite federal employees and their advocates in pushing back against any moves that threaten civil service professionalism.