Consequences of losing federal tech expertise

The decimation of the federal career workforce has widespread, adverse impacts for Americans, but, as Andrew Tangel writes, the safety implications for the flying public are particularly acute at the Federal Aviation Administration. Yes, DOT Secretary Duffy rightly notes that many of the problems facing the FAA are not new. But the Trump Administration's assault on federal workers has resulted in a staggering loss of talent at the FAA -- at all levels and across all offices. The consequences are obvious and perilous, undermining the FAA's ability to enhance safety, modernize the system, and optimize the airspace for all users (including new entrants). The loss of vast amounts of institutional knowledge, erosion of the safety culture that is critical to responsibly managing risk, and the serious challenges to hiring new talent in an environment that is hostile to federal workers make it much harder for the FAA to deliver a safe and efficient system that is essential to this country's economic growth and prosperity. The best, most viable solutions will come only from a nonpartisan commitment to provide the funding, the flexibility, and the stability that will allow the FAA to successfully do the job that we all need it to do. https://lnkd.in/e3PzurpN

Behind every billion-dollar breakthrough seeded by NSF aren't just great ideas—there are dedicated NSF staff cultivating impossible innovation. America’s next transformative technology might never see daylight if the NSF expert who believes in and bets on it disappears. On NSF’s 75th anniversary, let’s celebrate not just the inventions but the expert hands guiding ideas from improbable to inevitable. From web browsers to MRI machines, LASIK surgery to machine learning, NSF’s true product is trust—which catalyzes the discoveries of STEM leaders. Cutting NSF staff doesn't trim costs; it severs the nerves of America’s innovation spine. Innovation isn’t automated—it's fundamentally human. Lose the experts who make NSF great, and breakthroughs don't pause; they vanish. When we dismantle expertise at NSF, we uproot the gardeners cultivating tomorrow’s innovation, hollowing out America’s competitive advantage. Without its backbone of expert staff, our country’s scientific future risks retreat. Let’s celebrate NSF’s 75th anniversary, and stand up for the people who for seven and a half decades have ensured American innovation keeps standing strong.

USDA Layoffs Disrupt Key Agricultural and Climate Research Mass Firings Throw Scientific Projects Into Chaos The Trump administration’s sweeping layoffs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have severely disrupted critical research benefiting American farmers, according to former and current employees. Scientists working on projects related to climate resilience, pest control, and crop improvements have been abruptly dismissed, putting billions of dollars in agricultural conservation funding at risk. What’s at Stake? • Crop Research Halted: Scientists were working on higher-yield, climate-resistant crops to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns. • Pest & Disease Protection: USDA research into pest resistance and soil health has been derailed, potentially leaving U.S. agriculture more vulnerable. • Climate Science Disruption: Efforts to measure and mitigate the environmental impact of farming have been set back indefinitely. • Risk to Farm Conservation Programs: The layoffs could impact billions in taxpayer-funded conservation initiatives, which rely on USDA research to guide policy. How Many Were Affected? • Hundreds of USDA scientists were dismissed, many during their probationary period before receiving permanent status. • The U.S. Forest Service also saw 3,400 employees laid off, raising concerns over the future of wildfire prevention and land management programs. • Employees learned of their firings via a mass email on February 13, citing performance concerns, though insiders say the layoffs were politically motivated. Long-Term Consequences The sudden loss of expertise at the USDA jeopardizes food security, sustainability, and environmental policies, potentially setting back agricultural advancements for years. As farm groups and scientists protest, concerns grow over the long-term impact on rural economies, climate adaptation, and U.S. agricultural competitiveness.

For decades, U.S. leadership in technology, medicine, and innovation has been powered by federal investment in research at top universities. That support helped create the internet, smartphones, AI, life-saving medical treatments, and even GPS. But now, those investments are being slashed with serious consequences. The administration’s latest budget proposal would cut the National Science Foundation’s funding by 55%. Already, over 1,600 research grants have been canceled, impacting hundreds of thousands of researchers and students. Major health agencies like the NIH, CDC, and FDA are also facing massive staffing cuts, making it harder to respond to public health crises or develop new treatments. Top universities are losing hundreds of millions in funding. Even worse, the government has proposed eliminating all of Harvard’s federal contracts. An idea critics say ignores how essential advanced research is for breakthroughs in diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. International students, who bring in billions to the U.S. economy and often become founders of major start-ups, are also under attack. While the U.S. cuts back, China is surging ahead. Its R&D spending is rising fast, and it’s investing heavily in future technologies like AI and quantum computing. If these trends continue, America risks losing its global edge in innovation and competitiveness. Cutting research funding now could set the U.S. back for decades to come.

Laying federal employees off based on length in position will inevitably create unintended consequences across the federal workforce. Federal occupations with the most probationary employees include cybersecurity specialists, data scientists, forestry technicians, food inspectors, and medical support. Job categories with the the fewest probationary employees are largely administrative: accounting, social insurance administration, program management, and financial management. Public administrators, like workers in the private sector, are hired based on their technical expertise. More seasoned employees tend to move into managerial roles. Trump and Musk's termination of probationary employees has likely cut key technical roles while preserving layers of middle and upper management. In the long run, DOGE's cuts will likely lead to increased hollowing of the state and privatization to fill these technical jobs.

75% of U.S. scientists are considering leaving the country. That’s the stunning takeaway from a new Nature poll. If even a portion follow through, the result could be a sudden scientific brain drain — with serious consequences for the nation: 1. Loss of Innovation: Breakthroughs stall when top researchers leave. 2. Weakened Economy: High-tech sectors and productivity take a hit. 3. Reduced Global Competitiveness: Other countries surge ahead in R&D. 4. Decline in Education: Fewer mentors for the next generation of scientists. 5. Policy & Public Health Gaps: Less expertise to tackle crises like pandemics or climate change. 6. Long-Term Recovery: It can take decades to rebuild lost talent and infrastructure. A brain drain isn’t just about individuals leaving — it’s about a country losing its future edge. The warning signs are flashing. Full article: https://lnkd.in/eWtuAgRi

The U.S. federal government is struggling to attract and retain cybersecurity talent following recent workforce reductions. The Department of Government Efficiency, which has replaced the U.S. Digital Service, has begun voluntary layoffs and firings, significantly affecting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Over 130 CISA employees have been let go, disrupting critical cybersecurity functions and demoralizing current staff. Experts highlight the potential negative effects on the government's cybersecurity capabilities, pointing out that budget constraints and higher-paying opportunities in the private sector further complicate recruitment and retention efforts. Recent legislative proposals seek to strengthen the cyber workforce, but the results remain uncertain. https://lnkd.in/g28tx7Jg

The Trump administration has initiated the dismantling of crucial federal defenses against foreign interference in U.S. elections, raising significant concerns: - Closure of the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force - Reduction of over 100 positions at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Absence of federal partners at the National Association of Secretaries of State winter meeting States cannot address this issue independently. Pennsylvania's Republican Secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmidt, is on record stating: "It is foolish and inefficient to think that states should each pursue this on their own." Why this matters Foreign meddling in U.S. elections is not hypothetical but a documented fact. The Senate Intelligence Committee's bipartisan report revealed that Russian operatives targeted election systems in all 50 states in 2016. The Department of Justice confirmed similar attempts by Iran, China, and Russia in recent elections. There is no reason to believe they will stop. What can we reasonably expect to happen as a consequence? 1. Heightened vulnerability: State election systems will lack federal backing against sophisticated foreign actors 2. Fragmented defenses: States may adopt inconsistent security measures without unified federal support 3. Loss of expertise: Disruption of years of institutional knowledge and security partnerships 4. Public trust: Visible security measures are crucial to maintaining trust in election integrity The crucial question is: What do we stand to gain by weakening these protections, and at what expense to our democratic processes? CISA has played a vital role in providing essential services to states, including vulnerability assessments, security evaluations, and Election Day crisis readiness. These services have bolstered election infrastructure nationwide, irrespective of political affiliations. #ElectionSecurity #CyberSecurity #VoterProtection #DemocracyMatters #NationalSecurity #CISA #CriticalInfrastructure https://lnkd.in/eqiJRn36

– The federal workforce is being quietly hollowed out—not with layoffs, but with incentives to leave. A deferred resignation program offered full pay and benefits until late 2025, creating a slow-motion purge of experienced talent. – This is a calculated strategy that will drain agencies of expertise, leaving essential services understaffed and dysfunctional. That's because the employees most likely to accept the offer are the most skilled and experienced. The ones who keep the system running. Replacing them won’t be easy—and in many cases, won’t be possible. – By the time the full consequences hit, it will be too late. Services will slow, crises will multiply, and the government will struggle to function. The cost of this policy won’t just be measured in dollars—it will be measured in lost time, inefficiencies, and lives disrupted.