Staff Reports
The Biden administration seems to be pulling all the stops as it races against the clock to lock in labor deals that could trip up President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious plans for civil service reform. The focus on solidifying agreements has been particularly evident at the Social Security Administration, but it doesn’t stop there. In a classic case of bureaucratic maneuvering, the Biden team is also throwing a wrench into the works at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice.
The latest buzz centered around the Social Security Administration highlights just how far the administration is willing to go. With plenty of time left until Trump’s inauguration, Biden’s appointees hastily signed an agreement to protect hybrid work arrangements for a sizable chunk of Social Security staff. This cozy little contract ensures telework is secure until 2029, giving the federal employees the mandate to work from home while ostensibly “serving the public.” The interpretation of actual service may vary in the realm of telework, but who could expect otherwise from this modern-day federal circus?
Union leaders, strutting their stuff like peacocks, are gushing over their new deal, which creates layers of protections aimed at preserving their comfy arrangements. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents thousands of SSA workers, is now basking in the glory of these agreements. Meanwhile, similar chatter is rolling around the Environmental Protection Agency, where staff members just ratified a contract with a shiny new “scientific integrity” clause, which is better suited for a fairy tale than a government agency. Ethics in science seems to be a running joke when you consider how well things have turned out for the likes of Dr. Fauci and friends.
The administration has been criticized from various fronts for these last-minute setups aimed at freezing Trump’s plans to drain the swamp. Senator-elect Bernie Moreno from Ohio has vowed to dismantle these convoluted contracts the moment he gets the chance. He’s making it clear that work-from-home fantasies may turn into a nightmare for federal employees who have been coasting along without showing up for duty. The message is clear: in the real world, absent workers don’t get to keep their jobs just because they have a desk with their name on it.
Report: Biden Admin Moves to Complicate Trump‘s Purge of Deep State
The Biden administration appears to be working overtime within federal agencies to put labor agreements in place before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.https://t.co/05Oi47aunU pic.twitter.com/1ccYARbR4C
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) December 4, 2024
The onus is now on the Biden administration, which appears to be laying down the tracks to solidify its legacy of deep state shenanigans. Investor Bill Ackman has criticized the strategy, arguing that Biden’s actions are nothing but a desperate bid to cement a so-called administrative state that effectively thwarts Trump’s quest to restore accountability and efficiency within the federal landscape. After all, the term “administrative state” isn’t just a buzzword; it encapsulates a web of bureaucrats pulling the strings behind the scenes, often without any kind of accountability to the people.
These bureaucratic warriors seem to be scrambling at the thought of Trump rolling back their influence, even framing this anxiety as a legitimate concern over politicization. Instead of simply serving the American people, it’s as if these unelected officials are now more concerned about maintaining their positions and agendas. In a government that should be streamlined and responsive to voters, many employees appear to prioritize self-preservation over duty. The incoming administration has a full plate ahead if it wishes to label such employee practices as anything other than a blatant misuse of power.
