Washington Mayor Tells Terminated Federal Employees: “We’re Here to Help You”

March 5, 2025 TruthUSA

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser conducted a virtual town hall on Wednesday aimed at federal employees who have recently been laid off.

The purpose of the town hall was to address the repercussions of federal job losses on the National Capital Region and to provide resources for D.C. residents, including information on unemployment insurance.

A new public service career hub has been introduced, offering guidance on unemployment benefits. Bowser urged residents affected by the federal job cuts to explore job opportunities within the D.C. government.

“To D.C. residents who have recently lost their federal employment: The D.C. Government stands ready to assist you,” Bowser stated in a social media post prior to the town hall.

Some affected will benefit from the Trump administration’s buyout package if they accepted the resignation deal in early February, which allows them to retain their full salaries and benefits until September 30.

The mayor highlighted a common misconception that the federal government solely operates out of Washington, D.C. According to the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, approximately 20 percent of the country’s 2 million federal civil servants are based in the district, while 80 percent work outside the D.C. area.

Recently, thousands of federal workers have been dismissed as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to cut costs.

The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, is currently auditing federal agencies to pinpoint waste and inefficiencies. Its findings have contributed to the reduction of the federal workforce as part of the effort to limit government expenses.

Bowser indicated that the financial repercussions of federal job losses are significant for the city, with projections estimating over $300 million in losses for each of the next three fiscal years.

Last week, the mayor received troubling updates on D.C.’s financial outlook. According to Glen Lee, the district’s chief financial officer, the city faces serious ramifications from the federal budget cuts.

Lee projected that an additional 40,000 D.C.-based jobs will be eliminated from the federal workforce over the next three years, marking a 21 percent decrease. His report also highlights a $21.6 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year.

“Due to ongoing and projected federal workforce reductions, the District’s economic forecast has significantly worsened from the December outlook,” Lee noted in a letter to the mayor and city council dated February 28.

“Nationwide, over 75,000 federal employees have accepted buyouts, and many probationary federal workers have been let go, with the administration implementing a hiring freeze permitting only one replacement employee for every four departures.”

Lee also emphasized that a decline in the federal workforce will lead to reduced consumer spending in sectors such as dining, retail, transportation, and other taxable goods and services, especially impacting local businesses that depend on federal employees.

D.C. is recognized as the nation’s center for political activity. Historically, the district has leaned Democratic, with more than 90 percent of voters identifying as Democrats, according to election tracker 270towin.

According to Lee, there are many uncertainties surrounding D.C.’s economic outlook, as several of Trump’s executive decisions have faced, and continue to face, judicial challenges.

Trump commended the federal government restructuring during his address at the March 4 joint session of Congress, attributing its success to DOGE, his newly formed advisory panel, which aims to tackle wasteful spending amidst budget deficits and escalating national debt.

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