The Trump administration, in a bid to curb spending, is making significant cuts that are currently under review by Congress.
Among these cuts are a significant number of positions at the State Department, a move that has not been well-received by some within the department.
According to RedState, an image was allegedly sent to PBS by a disgruntled State Department employee, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. The image, taken inside the department, shows a piece of paper taped to a mirror with the words, "Colleagues, if you remain: RESIST FASCISM. Remember the oath you vowed to uphold."
This act of defiance comes in response to the Trump administration's decision to lay off around 1,300 staffers, including both civil servants and foreign service officers, as part of a reorganization of the agency.
The reaction to this decision, as well as the method of protest, speaks volumes about the mindset of those who oppose the cuts. It takes a certain audacity to label a move to reduce government spending as 'fascism', especially when the cuts are aimed at reducing national debt and streamlining government operations.
The State Department's primary role is to implement the policy of the United States, as determined by the duly-elected president. If employees are not willing to work in line with these policies, their place within the department is questionable.
The notion that reducing government size is a form of fascism is a misguided one. In fact, President Donald Trump's efforts to cut back on government is the antithesis of fascism, as it reduces his power rather than expanding it. The bureaucratic class seems to believe they should dictate to the President, when in reality, the power lies with the elected head of state.
PBS's decision to publish the image sent by the State Department employee also raises questions about their understanding of the situation. Rather than reporting on a brave act of resistance, they are highlighting why the individual in question was rightly dismissed. This lack of understanding of the situation, coupled with their own impending cuts, only serves to highlight their disconnect from reality.
This incident should prompt the State Department to conduct a thorough review. The unprofessional behavior displayed only strengthens the argument for further cuts. It is clear that the decision to reduce the size of the State Department was a necessary one, and PBS's reporting of the incident only serves to reinforce this.
The incident at the State Department serves as a reminder of the need for these values, and the importance of standing up against those who seek to undermine them.
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