Maddow Blog-Team Trump's new 'patriotism' tests for federal job-seekers shouldn't fly under the radar

[LetMyPeopleVote]

According to legal scholars, the White House’s new strategy of recruiting “patriotic Americans” is “reminiscent of the loyalty oaths of the McCarthy era.”



https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trumps-new-patriotism-tests-federal-job-seekers-shouldnt-fly-rada-rcna211460

Against this backdrop Politico reported this week:

As President Donald Trump moves to slash the size of the federal workforce, his administration unveiled a plan to ensure that any new hires are ‘patriotic Americans’ who vow to advance the president’s policy priorities. The White House and the agency that serves as the government’s human resources arm Thursday released directives for departments to use when recruiting employees in a memo that represents a dramatic shift in federal hiring procedures.

At first blush, a story like this might seem dry and bureaucratic. The Office of Personnel Management last week issued a memo outlining the administration’s detailed “merit hiring plan,” and I can appreciate why this could come across as boring.

It’s not. Under the new policy, everyone seeking a job at the GS-5 pay-grade or above — a group that would include everyone from firefighters to food inspectors to air traffic controllers — will have to submit four essays as part of the application process. The essays are supposed to provide answers to specific questions:

“How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.”

“In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.”

“How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.”

“How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.”

Imagine people who are applying to be rangers at a national park being asked to write essays about how they’d “advance” Trump’s executive orders. Then imagine the president himself trying to write an essay about his “commitment to the Constitution” — a document he’s talked about “terminating” in response to one of his election conspiracy theories......

There was a time in the recent past that “patriotism tests” for federal employees would’ve generated a significant controversy and an intense backlash. But in 2025, against a backdrop of countless other White House outrages, the OPM memo doesn’t appear to have made much of a splash.

[mahina]

1. OH BROTHER