February 24th, 2025

Federal Civil Service: Myths and Facts

By Pam Keller
Feb. 12, 2025
The Civil Service Act (1883!) mandates that most positions within the federal government should be awarded on the basis of merit instead of political patronage. It was passed because government positions were being handed out to family and loyalists. Sound familiar? The merit-based, non-partisan Civil Service was attacked under Trump 1 and is even more threatened now. Many federal workers will "bail" under Trump 2. Who can blame them? Who will then fill these important jobs? You guessed it.
The following refers to Federal Civil Service employment (excludes Military and Postal Service).
Myth: There are millions of federal workers.
Fact: There are about 2 million, making up less than 2% of the total US workforce. Walmart has 1.6 million employees.
Myth: Non-elected federal employees are running the country, and they have their own agenda.
Fact: The vast majority of workers do not make policy. They implement the policy set by the executive branch (President, cabinet, and agency heads) and funded by Congress.
Myth: Most federal workers are in Washington D.C. and out-of-touch with the rest of the country, especially rural America.
Fact: Only 20% of federal workers are located in Washington D.C. Federal workers are all across the country, in every state and county, contributing to local economies and providing critical services.
Myth: Federal workers are free-loaders.
Fact: Civil service merit-based employment means that workers are not given jobs based on who they know or who owes them a favor. They must meet standardized education and skills requirements. They must pass a criminal background check. Many of Trump and Musk’s minions have few relevant qualifications and undergo no background checks or financial disclosures. They must not be given the keys to the kingdom.
Myth: Many federal workers have do-nothing jobs.
Fact: Federal traffic controllers keep our airways safe. Federal food inspectors keep our food supply safe. Most federal jobs are not political. They are the important nuts-and-bolts work that keeps our country functioning.
Myth: Federal workers are paid too much.
Fact: In general, federal workers are paid less, sometimes far less, than people doing the same work outside of government.
Myth: Federal management should be replaced by state or county management.
Fact: We live in a mobile society. For public protection and interstate commerce there must be regulatory consistency across state boundaries.
Myth: Privatizing federal jobs makes them more efficient and saves money.
Fact: This has been tried many times resulting in less efficiency, far less customer service, and more money.