Comments at Arlington County Board Meeting, March 15, 2025.
Congressman Don Beyer’s March 8 outreach event on behalf of fired federal government workers attracted hundreds of people seeking help in the wake of DOGE’s unprecedented axing of their jobs.
Many of these layoffs were illegal either because federal workers were fired without cause, notice, due process, and/or statutory authority. 20 states’ attorneys general are challenging the terminations in court, and I support them.
These terminations would not have occurred but for the reelection of Donald Trump, who romped to victory in 2024 behind the Biden administration’s own contempt for the law. For 4 years Biden pursued an open borders policy, admitting millions of illegal aliens in flagrant violation of U.S. immigration laws at a net taxpayer cost of $150 billion annually.
During this time there was no pushback from local Democratic leaders, who openly sympathized with calls to end cooperation with ICE.
Biden’s DOJ also pursued a divisive, legally suspect lawfare strategy designed to keep Trump off the ballot. Now Trump is visiting retribution upon his enemies. He is draining the swamp by putting thousands of area residents out of work.
It is evident from this accelerating race to the bottom that both political parties share a common contempt for the rule of law, which they flout at will and with impunity, because a lot of partisan voters don’t care.
These voters see where the game of tit for tat got them in 2024–a ticket to the unemployment line or an insecure job. However, they have the power to break this cycle in 2025. Instead of voting strictly along party lines, it’s time to consider independent alternatives that prioritize accountability and stability over partisanship.