“Her World Crumbled. She Sat Crying…”
Elena Moseyko thought she had found stability when she left the private sector for a government job. But just before Valentine’s Day, her world crumbled. She sat crying in front of her two young kids, overwhelmed by the fear of how she’d keep up with her mortgage, preschool tuition, and car payments.
“I feel so angry,” she said. “I traumatized my kids for a job I thought would be secure.”
Moseyko was one of many federal employees blindsided by mass layoffs under the Trump administration, part of a sweeping effort to cut the federal workforce. Workers from agencies like Education, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Transportation found themselves scrambling for unemployment benefits and trying to figure out how to survive financially.
More Than a Job—A Sense of Purpose Taken Away
For many, working in the government wasn’t just about a paycheck—it was about public service. Chelsea Milburn, a Navy reservist, felt more betrayed than devastated after being fired from her role as a public affairs specialist for the Department of Education.
“It took away my hope,” she said. “I believed my service was valued, but the way we were let go was cold and cruel.”
The termination letters, nearly identical for all those affected, gave no real explanation beyond saying their employment was “not in the public interest.”
Easier to Fire, Harder to Fight Back
Most of those let go were in their probationary period—typically their first year on the job—which meant they had fewer protections and no real way to appeal their termination. Some, like Doug Berry, got caught in the system even after working in their departments longer.
Berry, who joined the USDA last year for stability, switched positions within the agency in July. That reset his probationary period—something he couldn’t have predicted would cost him his job.
On Thursday, he received an email saying he was terminated, effective immediately. But his office had already closed. By the time he showed up Friday morning, his job was gone.
“I had to donate an hour of my time to clean out my desk,” he said.
A Fight for Fairness
Federal unions are now taking legal action, arguing these firings were unjust and violated the usual process for dismissing employees.
“These workers weren’t fired for poor performance—there’s no proof they were anything but dedicated public servants,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
For Milburn, the worst part is seeing people cheer on these mass layoffs without understanding the human cost.
“I’ve served my country, and now it feels like it’s betrayed me,” she said. “But I’m not going out without a fight.”
