FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Matt Dorsey
(202) 550-6987
February 20, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) addressed a crowd of several hundred demonstrators in front of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Headquarters at the “Fund Don’t Freeze” rally in Washington, D.C. The rally was organized to condemn President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless efforts to gut the federal workforce and cut vital public health services.
President Erwin spoke alongside federal workers, labor organizers, and union presidents in support of the employees who carry out HHS’s critical mission: improving the health, safety, and well-being of America. Erwin first addressed how the Trump Administration’s reckless approach to firing of federal employees is putting American people in harm’s way.
“[President Trump and Elon Musk] have no idea about the critical work that you do,” said Erwin. “No idea whatsoever – and they don’t care. They offered resignations to 90% of the federal government. Do you know how irresponsible that is? They are putting public safety at risk. They are inviting communities to burn – no exaggeration. They are inviting airplanes to fall out of the sky – no exaggeration.”
President Erwin’s comments shifted to the illegality of actions taken by the Trump Administration to hastily remove federal employees from their positions and how doing so in the face of well-established law is a violation of the President’s Constitutional duty.
“I’ve got a message for Donald Trump: you swore an oath to the Constitution, and you are not upholding that oath,” continued Erwin. “The things [Trump] is doing are blatantly illegal. He knows it. He admits it. Under Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution, he must faithfully execute the laws of this country, and he is not doing it. I don’t care who you are or who you voted for – you should be furious about that!”
Finally, President Erwin slammed Congress for its lack of oversight in the unravelling of federal agencies and the institution’s indifference to holding President Trump and Elon Musk accountable for their unlawful actions as the missions of federal agencies are undermined.
“I have a message for Congress too: what are you doing about it? Look at what we’ve seen. Look at the violations of the law and the Constitution – and we don’t have one hearing? How gutless is this Congress? This cannot continue.”