By Benjamin Alva Polley EBS COLUMNIST
President Trump’s aggressive dismantling of federal agencies in the early days of his second term represents a serious threat to our nation. His reckless attempts to eliminate vital federal agencies and dismiss dedicated civil servants jeopardize our ability to combat pollution, protect vulnerable communities from environmental degradation, and effectively address climate change. True patriotism means caring for one’s country, and his actions contradict that belief.
On Jan. 28, nearly two million federal government employees from essential agencies—including the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency—were shockingly given the option to resign, with promised pay and benefits through September but haven’t received anything, demonstrating a profound disregard for the invaluable contributions of our public servants, the backbone of our nation.
Elon Musk and DOGE’s executive orders directly target 280,000 civilian workers, many of whom are still on probation after being hired less than two years ago. This move is not merely an attack on jobs; it is an assault on the very fabric of our government and public service. The impact on Montanans employed by federal agencies is significant, and I can speak to this directly because I was once part of that workforce.
The health and well-being of our country are at stake. These reckless decisions threaten not only the environment but also the stability of our economy. Did we, the American people, endorse these destructive policies? Absolutely not—this is a clear violation of our collective will.
Elon and DOGE are poised to dismantle our disaster preparedness for climate-related natural disasters at a critical time as we approach hurricane, tornado and wildfire seasons. Their misguided actions will sabotage vital preventive measures, such as road maintenance, timber thinning and watershed protection. Proposing to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency is an outright abandonment of our citizens during crises like Hurricane Helene, which inflicted $80 billion in damages, or the LA wildfires, potentially costing between $35-75 billion. Instead of dismantling FEMA, we should strengthen this critical disaster relief program.
Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cut 600 employees—this agency is crucial for monitoring weather data, predicting natural disasters, and issuing essential alerts to keep Americans safe.
Furthermore, the US Forest Service irresponsibly laid off 3,400 employees, 10% of its workforce. These public servants are essential for maintaining infrastructure, battling wildfires and restoring our vital natural resources. Then, on March 2, Trump handed over our national forests to industry to do what they want with the lungs of the planet.
Eliminating staff from agencies responsible for environmental protection, such as the EPA, is not just reckless; it is a direct attack on our planet’s health. Terminating over 1,000 EPA employees poses a significant threat to the wellbeing of the American populace, exacerbating the climate crisis and degrading the quality of our air and water.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s layoffs, which affected around 420 employees, severely hindered the agency’s ability to manage critical fish and wildlife habitats. This is unacceptable.
Dismissing professionals from the Department of Justice, especially within the Environment and Natural Resources Division, fundamentally undermines our ability to enforce vital environmental laws. Such actions set a dangerous precedent that prioritizes wealthy industrialists’ interests over most Americans’ health and welfare. If this dismantling continues, we risk sidelining essential environmental protections entirely.
Moreover, these abrupt firings disrupt crucial energy research that advances clean energy initiatives and diminishes oversight of nuclear energy. The misleading claims of “America First” will instead increase our dependence on foreign energy sources, risking both economic and environmental stability. The Department of Energy has already laid off significant portions of its workforce and restricted funding for the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure programs. With $100 billion allocated for grants and loans in the 2022 IRA and bipartisan infrastructure law now at risk, we face severe degradation of our American infrastructure.
Furthermore, the National Science Foundation is suffering from layoffs of up to half its staff, drastically reducing grant opportunities essential for critical science and research—totaling around $10 billion annually—that support U.S. communities and address global needs, including cancer research. The National Institutes of Health is also facing undemocratic dismantling under the directives of the current administration. Many universities rely on the NIH for nearly 30% of their direct research funding, which is crucial for protecting Americans’ health against diseases and outbreaks. As Carl Bergstrom, a biology professor at the University of Washington, aptly noted on BlueSky, “It is difficult to overstate what a catastrophe this will be for the US research and education systems, particularly in biomedical fields.”
Insufficient staffing means our agencies cannot effectively manage invasive species, wildfires, or essential maintenance. The Department of the Interior laid off 2,000 employees. The Bureau of Land Management has laid off 800 staffers, and the National Park Service—America’s best idea—has cut 1,000 employees. Biden’s American Climate Corps initiative was intended to create 20,000 jobs focused on combating climate change and addressing natural disasters, but now this program is being halted, showcasing a blatant disregard for our citizens and the health of our planet.
To add insult to injury, this purge of the federal workforce has affected over 500,000 veterans, who make up 30% of the federal workforce. Many government agencies rely heavily on veterans to fulfill their critical roles.
These agencies were established to safeguard the well-being and health of all Americans and the planet. We deserve leadership that genuinely represents the entire nation’s interests, not just a privileged few or those who align with a single political agenda. The president is elected to serve the whole country. It’s time to stand firm for our values, assert our rights as citizens, and aggressively oppose these destructive actions. These vengeful actions toward science, veterans and wildlife are purely out of greed.
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His stories have been published in Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications on his website. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana. Follow him on Instagram.
