1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and anger over President Trump's recent announcement targeting federal employees for layoffs based on their perceived political affiliation. This action is not only morally reprehensible but also likely illegal and fundamentally un-American. I urge you to take immediate action to oppose and prevent these partisan firings. The President's statement that the layoffs will be "Democrat-oriented" is a blatant attempt to weaponize the ongoing government shutdown for political gain. This violates the basic principles of our democracy and the nonpartisan nature of our civil service. Federal employees serve the American people, not a political party, and their livelihoods should not be used as bargaining chips in policy disputes. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has already filed a lawsuit challenging these layoffs. AFGE National President Everett Kelley rightly called this move "disgraceful." Historical precedent shows that previous government shutdowns resulted in furloughs, not terminations, further highlighting the questionable legality of these actions. The current shutdown is already causing significant disruptions to American life and creating economic uncertainty. Many federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay. Adding politically motivated layoffs to this crisis will only exacerbate the harm to hardworking Americans and their families. I implore you to take a strong stand against these partisan layoffs. Please work across the aisle to end the government shutdown responsibly and ensure that federal employees are protected from political retaliation. Our government's integrity and the well-being of countless Americans depend on your swift and decisive action. Time is of the essence. These layoffs have already begun, and every day that passes puts more federal workers at risk. I urge you to speak out publicly against these actions, support legal challenges to stop them, and push for legislation that protects federal employees from such partisan attacks in the future. The strength of our democracy relies on a professional, nonpartisan civil service. We must not allow short-term political maneuvering to undermine this crucial institution. Please act now to defend our federal workforce and the principles of fair governance that are the bedrock of our nation.