1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing as one of your constituents to express my deep concern and outrage over the ongoing efforts by Russell Vought and this administration to undermine the federal civil service and replace experienced career professionals with political loyalists. Recent reporting has highlighted growing concerns that political appointees are being granted increasing authority over areas that have traditionally relied on expertise, scientific review, and professional judgment. Critics warn that these actions risk damaging federal agencies for generations by driving out experienced employees and weakening the institutional knowledge that Americans depend on. Career civil servants are not political operatives. They are scientists, analysts, engineers, inspectors, researchers, and public servants who dedicate their careers to serving the American people regardless of which party occupies the White House. Weakening these professionals while expanding political control threatens the integrity, effectiveness, and independence of government institutions. Russell Vought has repeatedly advocated for increasing political control over the federal workforce and has supported efforts to reduce the influence of career employees in favor of presidential appointees. I want to know where you stand. Do you support replacing expertise with political loyalty? Do you support driving experienced public servants out of government? Do you support policies that place partisan interests ahead of scientific integrity, professional judgment, and effective government? Congress has a constitutional duty to provide oversight of the executive branch. Remaining silent while federal agencies are hollowed out is a failure of that responsibility. I expect you to publicly oppose efforts that weaken the civil service, politicize federal agencies, and undermine the government’s ability to serve the American people. Your oath was to the Constitution and your constituents, not to any president, political movement, or administration official. Federal agencies belong to the American people. They are not political spoils to be handed out to loyalists, nor should they be stripped of expertise to serve an ideological agenda. The long term consequences of these actions will be felt for decades through weakened institutions, lost talent, reduced accountability, and diminished public trust. I look forward to your response and to learning what actions you intend to take to protect the integrity of the federal government and the services upon which millions of Americans rely.