Fired Federal Workers Speak Out Amid Mass Layoffs Under Trump Administration
Thousands of federal workers have been abruptly terminated in recent days, leaving many struggling with uncertainty about their futures. Among them is Hanna Hickman, a former senior litigation counsel for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), who described the experience as both shocking and frightening. “It’s scary,” Hickman told ABC News. “I had a real moment—I was at CVS the other day and it kind of came on me all at once that I might not have health insurance in a few weeks, and that really hits you. It underscores the fact that we’re just regular, middle-class people, just like the people we’re trying to serve. “Hickman is one of thousands of federal employees, mostly new hires classified as probationary workers, who were laid off this past week. These employees, many of whom had been in their roles for less than two years, lack the job protections that apply to more senior federal workers. The layoffs hit multiple agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the CFPB. Hickman, who had worked at CFPB for nearly two years, received her termination notice unexpectedly around 9 p.m. last Tuesday. “It was shocking, frankly—not just to us but to our direct managers, who had not been told this would happen and received notice of the terminations at the same time we did because they were CC’d,” she said.
he situation at CFPB has been particularly chaotic. Just days before the terminations, employees were informed they could not enter the office. Hickman’s belongings remain inside the building, but she has been locked out of all work systems. “It’s really a shock,” she added. “Especially for a lawyer, because we have professional obligations. I have a case that I’m currently litigating for the bureau, and all of a sudden, I’m cut off from our systems. It’s the equivalent of being escorted out of the building and fired. It’s just absolutely shocking, especially when there have been no concerns about my performance during my time at the bureau. “Hickman last entered the CFPB office on Friday, February 7—the same day that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency made sweeping changes to the agency. That day, Musk posted on X: “CFPB RIP. “”We’re under attack by billionaires, but I’m not a billionaire,” Hickman said. “For me, the next steps are scary. I’m trying to stay focused on working productively, but it’s a scary moment .”Hickman believes Musk is attempting to dismantle the agency, which was created by Congress to regulate financial markets and protect consumers from predatory practices. However, she and several former colleagues plan to fight back, exploring legal avenues to challenge the terminations .
“Civil servants do this work to fight for regular Americans,” she said. “That’s what the job is. That’s why it’s intended to be insulated from partisan swings. That’s why it requires expert people skills and experience, and that’s why there are these protections around the jobs. We go to work every day to fight for regular people. “Hickman explained that the CFPB acts as “the cops on the beat for the financial market,” working to prevent financial crises, fraudulent loan schemes, and excessive interest rates. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk can just call their lawyers,” she said. “But regular people don’t have lawyers on speed dial. These agencies exist to fill that gap and to keep people safe. “For Hickman, working at CFPB was a calling. “It was something I felt really passionate about doing in this next phase of my career,” she said. “I spent 15 years in private practice before this, and this was just a whole different type of work—one that was incredibly fulfilling before I was terminated. “Hickman is not alone in her frustration. Other federal employees have spoken out about how they were fired without warning or explanation. Earlier this week, ABC News obtained copies of termination notices sent to federal workers. The notices simply stated, “The Agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Agency would be in the public interest.
“However, many of those who received these notices say they were never given performance warnings or evaluations indicating any problems .Chelsea Milburn, a disabled veteran, was fired from the Department of Education on Wednesday. She received a memo that gave no specifics about why she was being let go.”I was definitely upset,” Milburn said. “I’ve only ever gotten positive feedback from my team and leadership, so I was pretty surprised to get that email. “One former probationary employee at the Department of Education recalled receiving an unexpected phone call from a supervisor who was in tears. “I’m getting word that you’ve been terminated,” the supervisor told the employee .The worker, who spoke anonymously for fear of impacting future job opportunities, described the experience as “devastating. “”It was heartbreaking,” the former employee said. “When I went up to my computer, it was already locked down. I couldn’t access anything. I’m still trying to reach out to HR to find out if I get a severance package. What happens to my health insurance? When does it end? Nobody knows anything. “As fired federal workers try to navigate the fallout, many remain in limbo. The abrupt mass terminations have left employees without clear answers about their benefits, severance, or next steps. Legal experts say the nature of these terminations—especially those targeting probationary hires—makes it difficult to challenge them through traditional employment protections. While unions and advocacy groups may attempt to intervene, the affected employees have little immediate recourse. For now, those who have lost their jobs are left with difficult decisions. Some, like Hickman, are considering legal options. Others are scrambling to find new employment, unsure of when their next paycheck will arrive. In the meantime, the Trump administration continues its push to restructure the federal workforce, with Musk at the center of controversial efforts to cut government agencies and overhaul staffing practices .
For workers like Hickman, the fight isn’t over “We were doing this job to help people,” she said. “And if they think we’re just going to go quietly, they’re wrong.”
