PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With Independence Hall as the backdrop, Philadelphia Congressman Brendan Boyle stood with federal workers Monday morning to denounce President Donald Trump’s slashing of the federal workforce.
“What my members are going through right now is a lot of intimidation, a lot of harassment, a lot of uncertainty,” said Everett Kelly, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
Last week hundreds of federal workers at the IRS Philadelphia office were reportedly laid off. There were also staff cuts at Independence National Historical Park. Boyle called the action “nuts,” as the city prepares to host the nation’s 250th anniversary events next year.
Kelly called on Congress to take a stand against the cuts directed by Trump and his advisor Elon Musk.
“We need Congress to step up and remind Trump and Musk that the law is not on their side,” Kelly said.
Boyle said Congress can begin to voice opposition by turning down the upcoming Trump tax bill. He said Democrats need only two House Republicans to join them.
“We should use every single point of leverage on that vote — and on every other — to reverse what has happened to our federal workforce and to stop more bad things from happening.”
Boyle wondered how the government could recruit the best workers if they knew they could be fired at any moment for any reason.
Federal workers have already sued to block the wholesale layoffs.
Kelley pledges that his members will fight back against the cuts.