Article

2017-03-23 Home Front: Politix

Federal staffers panicked by conservative media attacks

[Politico] Conservative news outlets, including one with links to a top White House official, are singling out individual career government employees for criticism, suggesting in articles that certain staffers will not be sufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump by virtue of their work under former President Barack Obama.

The articles -- which have appeared in Breitbart News, the Conservative Review and other outlets -- have alarmed veteran officials in both parties as well as current executive branch staffers. They say the stories are adding to tensions between career staffers and political appointees as they begin to implement Trump’s agenda, and they worry that the stories could inspire Trump to try purging federal agencies of perceived enemies.

The claims posted on the conservative sites include allegations of anti-Israel and pro-Iran bias against staffers at institutions such as the State Department and the National Security Council. Breitbart News, whose former executive chairman Steve Bannon is now Trump’s chief strategist, has even published lists of workers that the president should fire.

Washington veterans say they can’t recall similar targeting of government employees, who are required to stay apolitical and generally shun the spotlight.

"It’s deeply unfair to single people out and question their loyalty," said William Burns, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former longtime diplomat. "It’s demoralizing for institutions. It’s demoralizing for professionals, and it’s offensive."

Posted by Besoeker 2017-03-23 00:11|| || Front Page|| [15 views ] Top

#1 "It’s demoralizing for institutions. It’s demoralizing for professionals, and it’s offensive."

And sadly, it's necessary.

Posted by Skidmark 2017-03-23 00:38|| 2017-03-23 00:38|| Front Page Top

#2 They have worked hard to earn this.
Enjoy.

Posted by Theatch Thaiting5261 2017-03-23 00:46|| 2017-03-23 00:46|| Front Page Top

#3 Don't like individual responsibility? Too bad.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2017-03-23 04:19|| 2017-03-23 04:19|| Front Page Top

Party's over...

Posted by Blinky Snanter7222 2017-03-23 04:48|| 2017-03-23 04:48|| Front Page Top

#5 "It’s deeply unfair to single people out and question their loyalty," said William Burns, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former longtime diplomat. "It’s demoralizing for institutions. It’s demoralizing for professionals, and it’s offensive."

More offensive than your undeserved bloated magic paycheck and retirement package? More offensive than the fact you grew government until it is now four times larger relative to the general population than it was two generations ago, with no more quality or quantity of government services to show for it? More offensive than the fact that you consider yourselves to be the private sector's rulers rather than its servants?

More offensive than the fact that your "loyalty" is to whichever political party will most advantage you materially -not the one whose policy is best for America - and the fact that you now value your government funded wherewithal more than the businesses, liberties, and lives of your neighbors?

Color me unsympathetic.

Posted by no mo uro 2017-03-23 05:40|| 2017-03-23 05:40|| Front Page Top

#6 Don't want to be accused of supporting Iran, then don't support Iran.

Posted by Rob Crawford 2017-03-23 07:17|| 2017-03-23 07:17|| Front Page Top

#7 Just wait until they get a rent-a-mob to sit outside your home. Calling you and your family alll sorts of nasty things. Threatening your family and following your kids to school.

Oh, that's right... conservatives don't do that.

Posted by CrazyFool 2017-03-23 07:54|| 2017-03-23 07:54|| Front Page Top

#8 More offensive than the fact that you consider yourselves to be the private sector's rulers rather than its servants?

Pretty much sums it up.

Posted by jvalentour 2017-03-23 08:08|| 2017-03-23 08:08|| Front Page Top

#9 We're coming for you. Resign now and save yourself the humiliation.

Posted by DarthVader 2017-03-23 09:13|| 2017-03-23 09:13|| Front Page Top

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