Partnership for Public Service statement on first year of second Trump administration 

January 13, 2026

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier ahead of the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

“The beginning of President Trump’s second term has produced the most catastrophic dismantling of federal government capacity in modern history. In just one year, the Trump administration has arbitrarily pushed out over 200,000 federal workers, wiped out entire federal agencies, and politicized previously apolitical government institutions to enrich himself and punish his detractors.

“Despite promises to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, the Trump administration has succeeded only in dismembering the nonpartisan civil service and afflicting real harm on the public. Through a series of haphazard and arbitrary cuts to the federal workforce and programs, our national security apparatus has been weakened to pre-9/11 levels, public health and public safety infrastructure gutted beyond its capacity to respond to emergencies, and essential services like Social Security have been weakened with massive backlogs and wait times.

“With a diminished capacity to effectively serve the public and the use of unchecked presidential authority, the administration will likely continue the steady erosion of norms, rules and the law in 2026 that are critical for an accountable, transparent and responsible government. As we celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year, it is more critical than ever that the public reengage with government, challenge President Trump’s worst authoritarian impulses, and demand from all our leaders a new path forward.”

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.  

Visit dev.ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.      

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