Thank You for Your Service to the American Public: A Perspective from a Fired Federal Worker

From its outset, the Trump administration has haphazardly decimated federal agencies and institutions, creating chaos, fear, and confusion among federal employees. Securing a federal job is no small feat. It requires time, effort, skill, luck, and the investment of others. It carries the expectation of political neutrality no matter who occupies the White House. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) (and its employees) has been one of the institutions targeted by the Trump administration. The NIH, a pillar of scientific advancement, impacts the lives of all Americans through its research funding, initiatives, and programs. As a recently hired biomedical librarian, I dedicated my work to supporting the mission of the NIH, but I experienced firsthand the Trump administration's bullying and vilification of federal workers. I was ultimately fired, but my commitment to advocating for change has grown stronger. I believe librarians have a role to play in a brighter future.