{"id":40665,"date":"2024-06-11T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T12:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/?page_id=40665"},"modified":"2025-04-08T11:41:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T15:41:37","slug":"protecting-democracy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/protecting-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Democracy: Safeguarding the Civil Service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column background-image-set hero\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-Sammies-Finalist-Collage-dark.jpg);background-position:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed\" data-bg-type=\"image\" data-bg-image=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-Sammies-Finalist-Collage-dark.jpg\" data-bg-color=\"#101820\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e5f5e66924419bf4efcd31060c0dcebb\" id=\"h-protecting-democracy-nbsp\"><mark style=\"background-color:#F7D76C\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pps-dark-gray-color\"><span>Protecting Democracy<\/span><\/mark>&nbsp;<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center pt-0 mt-0 has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f839be33eaab307e585cf9cc40169b42\" id=\"h-safeguarding-the-civil-service\">Safeguarding the Civil Service<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-a25ad350819bce02c215f1f35532e4a2\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">The backbone of our federal government is the more than 2 million career civil servants who work in communities across the country to make our nation safer, healthier and more prosperous. These are the people who care for our public lands, ensure our food and water are clean, help veterans and seniors access their benefits, protect public health, provide disaster relief and keep us safe when we travel. Our democracy depends on their commitment to the public good, and our nation is stronger because of their experience and expertise.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-8205e61d6a706401a2f6dba12d78fe79\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Yet mounting efforts to politicize the federal workforce put the safety and security of the country at risk. Instead of enabling our government to work better, these proposals would strip it of expertise and weaken the ability of career federal employees to provide vital public services.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-28bf3edc26e126ee21c736a9a662ef8a\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Our country needs a more meaningful conversation about how to improve the way our government functions. Together, we can lead that conversation and create a more fair, responsive and accountable government, while also supporting a nonpartisan civil service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-e6947f66a33cf0ecb040eea822bf6204\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">Join us in this effort and <\/mark><mark style=\"background-color:#F7D76C\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pps-dark-gray-color\">sign up <strong><a style=\"color:black\" href=\"#sign-up\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/mark><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\"> to work with us in advancing democracy and ensuring a nonpartisan, merit-based federal workforce.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-color=\"#00827E\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pb-0\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mb-0 m-b-0 mt-2\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Who-are-civil-servants.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42195\" style=\"width:70px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-pps-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76617f819afcfb00d64de067db5fda42\" id=\"h-who-are-civil-servants\" style=\"font-size:19px\">Who Are Civil Servants?<br><br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#who-are-civil-servants\"><center><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-down\"><\/i><\/center><\/a>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:3px;background-color:#015081;color:#015081\" data-color=\"#015081\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"3\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-color=\"#00827E\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pb-0\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mb-0 m-b-0 mt-2\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Public-perceptions.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42196\" style=\"width:70px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-public-perceptions-of-government\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Public Perceptions of Government<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#public-perceptions-of-government\"><center><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-down\"><\/i><\/center><\/a>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:3px;background-color:#015081;color:#015081\" data-color=\"#015081\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"3\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-color=\"#00827E\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pb-0\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mb-0 m-b-0 mt-2\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Our-vision.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42197\" style=\"width:70px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-our-vision-for-a-better-government\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Our Vision for a Better Government<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#our-vision\"><center><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-down\"><\/i><\/center><\/a>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:3px;background-color:#015081;color:#015081\" data-color=\"#015081\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"3\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-color=\"#00827E\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pb-0\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mb-0 m-b-0 mt-2\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/How-to-champion.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42198\" style=\"width:70px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-how-to-champion-the-civil-service\" style=\"font-size:18px\">How to Champion the Civil Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#how-to-champion-the-civil-service\"><center><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-down\"><\/i><\/center><\/a>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:3px;background-color:#015081;color:#015081\" data-color=\"#015081\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"3\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-color=\"#00827E\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pb-0\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mb-0 m-b-0 mt-2\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Related-content.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42200\" style=\"width:70px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-related-content\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Related Content<br><br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#related-content\"><center><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-down\"><\/i><\/center><\/a>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:3px;background-color:#015081;color:#015081\" data-color=\"#015081\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"3\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#f3f3f4\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#f3f3f4\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-about-the-partnership-for-public-service\">About the Partnership for Public Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership for Public Service is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to building a better government and a stronger democracy. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized mt-0\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/PPS_horizontal_full-color.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40604\" style=\"width:339px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"sign-up\" data-anchor-name=\"Sign up\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#101820\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#101820\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43f76141ba05d4674ebb7328c15c48d4\" id=\"h-stay-involved\">Stay Involved<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6287428abae1d48d2539b2ac86c80c53\">Sign up to receive updates on our work to protect the nonpartisan civil service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\n<script>\n  hbspt.forms.create({\n    region: \"na1\",\n    portalId: \"20703688\",\n    formId: \"5a04b7c0-3bdc-47a4-b906-34f42fe14dfa\"\n  });\n<\/script>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"who-are-civil-servants\" data-anchor-name=\"Who are Civil Servants?\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column background-image-set\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52683281185_ff5c264450_k-copy.jpg);background-position:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed\" data-bg-type=\"image\" data-bg-image=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52683281185_ff5c264450_k-copy.jpg\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:250px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c88f8c5d7bc1ccc7fd7b348886756715\" id=\"h-who-are-civil-servants-0\">Who Are Civil Servants?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:250px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p style=\"font-size:24px\">Our nation\u2019s civil servants are composed of roughly 2 million individuals who work in communities across the country and around the world. <strong><mark style=\"background-color:#F7D76C\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pps-dark-gray-color\">They are our family members, our friends and our neighbors.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, 80% of federal employees live and work away from our nation\u2019s capital. While policies and priorities are typically set at headquarters in the Washington, D.C., area, employees in the field do much of the day-to-day work of delivering on the mission of our government. They care for our veterans, support our farmers, inspect our roads and bridges, protect our food supply and respond to disasters. Notably, more than 70% of career civil servants work in defense and security-related agencies, and veterans make up nearly one-third of the career federal workforce. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These career civil servants are hired based on their merit and expertise\u2014not their political beliefs or party. The merit-based and apolitical nature of the federal civil service ensures that these employees are qualified and committed to serving the public good and upholding the Constitution above all else.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the below explainer video to learn more about the civil service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Our Government Explained (in 3 Minutes or Less): Who Is the Career Workforce?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hZEfuOhib_E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:2px;background-color:#FFCD00;color:#FFCD00\" data-color=\"#FFCD00\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"2\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To protect the federal workforce and improve the way government works, we first need to understand it. In our latest Fed Figures report, a Profile of the 2023 Federal Workforce, we analyzed workforce data to highlight characteristics and trends within one of our nation\u2019s greatest assets\u2014the federal civil service. These analyses enable us to better comprehend the strengths of our government and the challenges it may encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button aligncenter pps-button rectangular_without_border primary with-none font-weight-bold\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/fed-figures\/a-profile-of-the-2023-federal-workforce\/\" data-label=\"Read more\" data-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#0084D4\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_without_border\" data-theme-style=\"primary\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #FFFFFF;background-color:#0084D4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Read more<\/span><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:2px;background-color:#FFCD00;color:#FFCD00\" data-color=\"#FFCD00\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"2\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"who-is-government\" data-anchor-name=\"Who is Government\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"810\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-810x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-810x1024.jpg 810w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-768x971.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-1215x1536.jpg 1215w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-1620x2048.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-50x63.jpg 50w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-1600x2022.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy-1200x1517.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/imrs-copy.jpg 1788w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christopher Mark inside the Phillips-Sprague Mine, also known as the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, in July in Beckley, W.Va. (Kent Nishimura for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-is-government\">Who Is Government?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The series&nbsp;Who Is Government&nbsp;was launched by the Washington Post in September 2024 and places a spotlight on the exemplary federal employees whose&nbsp;dedication and commitment drive the essential functions of government that impact&nbsp;our daily lives.&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/michael-lewis-chris-marks-the-canary-who-is-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Canary&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong>| by Michael Lewis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/casey-cep-ronald-walters-the-sentinel-who-is-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sentinel<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;| by Casey Cep<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/dave-eggers-jet-propulsion-laboratory-nasa-who-is-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Searchers<\/strong><\/a> | by Dave Eggers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/john-lanchester-consumer-price-index-who-is-government\/\"><strong>The Numbe<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/john-lanchester-consumer-price-index-who-is-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>r<\/strong><\/a> | by John Lanchester<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/cyber-sleuth\/?itid=sf_opinions_top-table-all-collex_p001_f001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Cyber Sleuth<\/a><\/strong> | by Geraldine Brooks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/sarah-vowell-national-archives-digitization-records-smartphones\/?itid=sf_opinions_top-table-all-collex_p001_f001\"><strong>The Equalizer<\/strong> <\/a>| by Sarah Vowell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/rookie\/?itid=sf_opinions_top-table-all-collex_p001_f001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Rookie<\/strong><\/a> | by W. Kamau Bell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/interactive\/2024\/michael-lewis-conclusion-who-is-government\/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzMwNDMzNjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzMxODE5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MzA0MzM2MDAsImp0aSI6ImMwOWQ4N2I1LTg4YjUtNGJkOC04Yjc2LTdhMDcyNDUzYTI5MiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9vcGluaW9ucy9pbnRlcmFjdGl2ZS8yMDI0L21pY2hhZWwtbGV3aXMtY29uY2x1c2lvbi13aG8taXMtZ292ZXJubWVudC8ifQ.JlP7ZQy9KbW8qLZeM5gpifxWkPR24AQZDyqUxfFeMLs&amp;itid=gfta\">Directions to a Journalistic Goldmine<\/a><\/strong> | by Michael Lewis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-public-service-101-five-things-you-should-know-about-civil-servants\">Public Service 101: Five Things You Should Know About Civil Servants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People often equate the federal government with Congress and elected leaders, but our government encompasses so much more than that. There are more than 2 million civil servants responsible for issues vital to the health of our nation, from ensuring national security to administering health insurance programs and so much more. Yet many people don\u2019t know who civil servants are or what they do\u2014we\u2019re here to tell you! Watch our video to learn more about the federal civil service and the hard work civil servants do every day.<a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Public Service 101: Five Things You Should Know About Civil Servants\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2rrQURdLYZM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"public-perceptions-of-government\" data-anchor-name=\"Public Perceptions of Government\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#101820\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#101820\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c57079c670396d9de5b986d65580e456\" id=\"h-public-perceptions-of-government-0\">Public Perceptions of Government<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4e8108f0c6a4ffa3d2ce6aa30c6345c2\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Overall trust in, and public perceptions of, government have been on the decline since the 1960s. Although trust in our federal government remains low, there is overwhelming support for a nonpartisan, merit-based civil service that acts in the public interest. Career public servants hold critical roles that will be jeopardized if the civil service is politicized.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e23484844c0030ec97723657f4580e10\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Read our 2024 report on the state of trust in government and on public perceptions of public servants, and view our <a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-solutions\/rebuilding-trust-in-government\/dashboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dashboard<\/a> highlighting our latest trust data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0527df71d56b5800bc36050e3693b54e\" id=\"h-public-perceptions-the-data\"><mark style=\"background-color:#F7D76C\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pps-dark-gray-color\">Public Perceptions: The Data<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center count-up suffix-percent has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-5a95660dd1c8851586f3d465ed5c54dc\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">23%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87b09c2f489eb64a11161f0a0df229a9\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Of Americans trust the federal government compared with 63% who do not&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center count-up suffix-percent has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-6871473cd3cb12d893d8dc156d194725\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">31%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125166225ea4427a9918a7e0b0b23d64\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Believe the federal government has a positive impact on the United States<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center count-up suffix-percent has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-22de394db8d165f14117e173c0ca917f\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">91%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0eb673b8afa824562cc0a6a64d22ecb8\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Believe having competent civil servants is important for a strong American democracy&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center count-up suffix-percent has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-5c0790aa4f1ceadc15c95f731d51be8d\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">95%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1f6508d2a3895f818e93f0a109a18bcf\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Agree civil servants should be hired and promoted based on their merit rather than their political beliefs&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-e7bba527c3302856d6e5be60d51352f7\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><em>This data comes from a nationally representative survey of 800 Americans from March 25 to April 1, 2024. Surveys were conducted in English and Spanish and had a margin of error of +- 3.5 percentage points.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"our-vision\" data-anchor-name=\"Our Vision\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\"><div class=\"wp-block-image mt-0\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Protecting-Democracy-Numbers_1-to-5.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40776\" style=\"width:582px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-our-vision-for-a-better-government-0\">Our Vision for a<br>Better Government<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership has outlined the five most important reforms to provide our government with what it needs most: a way to offer the public simple and timely access to critical services that help keep our country safe and secure, and highly qualified federal leaders and employees who are committed to the public trust and are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button aligncenter pps-button rectangular_with_border primary with-none\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/publications\/vision-for-a-better-government\/\" data-label=\"Read our recommendations\" data-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#015081\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_with_border\" data-theme-style=\"primary\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #FFFFFF;background-color:#015081\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Read our recommendations<\/span><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"padding: 10px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40977 \" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Trophy_Navy.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/th>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px;\"><b>1. Develop better government leaders.<\/b><br \/><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Leadership-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the overview document.<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"padding: 10px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40978 \" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Search_Navy.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/th>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px;\"><b>2. Make it easier to hire and keep great public servants.<\/b><br \/><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/HiringPolicy-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the overview document.<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"padding: 10px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40979 \" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Scales_Navy.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/th>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px;\"><b>3. Hold poor performers accountable.<\/b><br \/><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/PoorPerformers-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the overview document.<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"padding: 10px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40980\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Graph_Navy.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/th>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px;\"><b>4. Make better use of AI, technology and data.<\/b><br \/><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TechPolicy-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blabnk\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the overview document.<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"padding: 10px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40980\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Check_Navy.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/th>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px;\"><b>5. Provide efficient, customer-friendly service.<\/b><br \/><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Reform-Agenda_CX-Primer.pdf\" target=\"_blabnk\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the overview document.<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n\n\n\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"how-to-champion-the-civil-service\" data-anchor-name=\"How to Champion the Civil Service\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column background-image-set\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/NASA-Arlington-Schools-scaled.jpg);background-position:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed\" data-bg-type=\"image\" data-bg-image=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/NASA-Arlington-Schools-scaled.jpg\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:250px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0c3c48662a03a23a93f4a3b5706a6c36\" id=\"h-how-to-champion-the-civil-service-0\">How to Champion the Civil Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:250px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#eeeeee\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p style=\"font-size:24px\">Career civil servants are a conduit between federal agencies and the public, <strong><mark style=\"background-color:#F7D76C\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pps-dark-gray-color\">ensuring\u202fthat the services we expect from our government are delivered to all.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Championing their work and impact\u2014and their role as nonpartisan employees committed to the public good\u2014is critical to reinvigorating faith in government.&nbsp;The Partnership\u2019s research has identified three core strategies to help advance a positive vision of the nation\u2019s civil service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large mt-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1600x1064.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1920x1277.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/33423396015_0a1c7db46f_k.jpg 1924w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(National Institutes of Health)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-1-strategic-messaging\">1. Strategic messaging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Career federal employees make our nation safer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous. They are responsible for many noteworthy and inspiring accomplishments, most of which are seldom told. Public perceptions of the federal workforce and our government are shaped by negative narratives that people hear in the news, on social media and in popular culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We built this <a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/championing-the-civil-service-effective-messages\/\">messaging toolkit<\/a> to help the public better understand what career civil servants do and how they impact our country. Based on empirical research and decades of experience working in the federal space, we\u2019ve developed a set of messages to help organizations and individuals consistently communicate and produce a steady stream of stories that improve perceptions of career federal employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please use and tailor these messages to best suit the needs of your audience. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns reverse-stack-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-2-storytelling\">2. Storytelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Clarify the role and impact of the federal government and the career civil service.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To better understand the role of public servants and their impact on the country, people need to hear stories of the hard work that career federal employees do every day. Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-solutions\/rebuilding-trust-in-government\/government-success-database\/\">database of civil servant stories<\/a> and their impact to share these stories with your constituents and help grow understanding of and appreciation for the role of these individuals in our democracy, in serving the public and in protecting our national security.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large mt-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40763\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/46607924375_323092947f_k.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyrell K. Morris)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large mt-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"706\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-1024x706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-1024x706.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-768x530.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-1536x1060.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-50x34.jpg 50w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-1600x1104.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k-1200x828.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/52578203973_4357dcc853_k.jpg 1777w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(NRCS photo by Brandon O\u2019Connor)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-3-advocacy-through-coalition-building\">3. Advocacy through<br>coalition building<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is critical to build buy-in for positive civil service reform across sectors by sharing ideas to make government work better\u2014and the consequences of a more political federal workforce\u2014with your networks and with leaders in government, business, philanthropy, the media and democracy protection organizations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership stands ready to work with you to advance a more effective government. <a href=\"mailto:hjordan@ourpublicservice.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contact us<\/a> to discuss how we can work together to protect and advance our democracy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-anchor anchor\" id=\"related-content\" data-anchor-name=\"Related Content\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-related-content-0\">Related Content<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"gutenslider-kg4goec0p\" class=\"wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslider gs-frontend content-change alignnone arrow-style-1 arrow-position-sides arrow-mb-none arrows-lg arrows-md arrows-sm dot-style-1 dots-lg-none dots-md-none dots-sm-none dot-position-bottom is-position-center-center mb-none wrap-auto-height\" data-parallax-direction=\"down\" data-parallax-amount=\"1.3\" data-lg-transition=\"lg-slide\" data-hash=\"\" ><div class=\"eedee-swiper-outer\" style=\"--gutenslider-min-height: 50vh;--gutenslider-arrow-size: 30px;--gutenslider-dot-size: 25px;--gutenslider-arrow-color: #676E9F;--gutenslider-dot-color: #ffffff;--gutenslider-padding-y-mobile: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-mobile: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-tablet: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-tablet: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-desktop: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-desktop: 40px;--gutenslider-bg-image: url();--gutenslider-min-height-md: 50vh;--gutenslider-min-height-sm: 50vh;--gutenslider-padding-x: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-md: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-sm: 20px;--gutenslider-padding-y: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-md: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-sm: 20px;--gutenslider-arrow-size-md: 30px;--gutenslider-arrow-size-sm: 30px;--gutenslider-dot-size-md: 25px;--gutenslider-dot-size-sm: 25px;--gutenslider-arrow-bg-color: transparent;--gutenslider-arrow-hover-color: #eeeeee;--gutenslider-arrow-bg-hover-color: transparent;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset-md: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset-sm: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset-md: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-spacing: 0px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset: 10px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset-md: 10px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset-sm: 10px;--gutenslider-margin-x: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-x-md: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-x-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y-md: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-divider-top: 60px;--gutenslider-divider-bottom: 60px;--gutenslider-lightgallery-bg: #ffffff;--gutenslider-lightgallery-font: #000000;--gs-first-pos: 50% 50%;--gs-gap-vertical: var( --wp--style--gallery-gap-default, var( --gallery-block--gutter-size, var( --wp--style--block-gap, 0.5em ) ) );--gs-gap-horizontal: var( --wp--style--gallery-gap-default, var( --gallery-block--gutter-size, var( --wp--style--block-gap, 0.5em ) ) );\"><div class=\"gutenslider-divider-top\" style=\"color:#fff;\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper\" data-settings='{\"autoplay\":{\"delay\":3000,\"pauseOnMouseEnter\":true,\"disableOnInteraction\":false},\"speed\":2000,\"direction\":\"horizontal\",\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"loop\":true,\"centeredSlides\":true,\"spaceBetween\":40,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"effect\":\"slide\",\"coverflowEffect\":{\"rotate\":30,\"slideShadows\":false,\"depth\":100,\"stretch\":50,\"modifier\":1},\"fadeEffect\":{\"crossFade\":true},\"zoom\":\"\",\"navigation\":{\"nextEl\":\"#gutenslider-kg4goec0p .eedee-gutenslider-next\",\"prevEl\":\"#gutenslider-kg4goec0p .eedee-gutenslider-prev\"},\"pagination\":{\"type\":\"bullets\",\"clickable\":true,\"dynamicBullets\":false,\"el\":\"#gutenslider-kg4goec0p .eedee-gutenslider-pagination\"},\"pauseOnHover\":\"1\",\"watchSlidesProgress\":true,\"watchSlidesVisibility\":true,\"settingsMd\":{\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"slidesPerView\":2,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"spaceBetween\":40,\"loop\":true},\"settingsLg\":{\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"slidesPerView\":2,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"spaceBetween\":40,\"loop\":true},\"hasLg\":false,\"hasLgCounter\":true,\"isFullScreen\":false,\"arrowsFollowMouse\":false,\"lgTitle\":\"none\",\"lgCaption\":\"none\",\"lgThumbnails\":true,\"lgZoomEnabled\":false,\"keyboard\":{\"keyboard\":{\"enabled\":true,\"onlyInViewport\":true}},\"hashNavigation\":false,\"dividers\":false}'><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-color\" style=\"--slide-min-width:80%;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div no-media-background\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;background:#FFFFFF;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<div style=\"border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-color=\"#000000\" data-border-thickness=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<p class=\"has-pps-navy-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-b6c1cf1ead320175a34d48f4e073fb97\"><strong>RESOURCES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-supporting-federal-employees\">Supporting Federal Employees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership for Public Service has supported federal employees for over 20 years and has resources to help them navigate the transition period. These include tips for dealing with change and leading with resilience, facts about the presidential transition, articles about the current transition process and other resources to help federal leaders manage effectively during this time of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button alignleft pps-button rectangular_with_border primary with-none\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/supporting-federal-employees-during-the-transition\/\" data-label=\"Read more\" data-color=\"#FFFFFF\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#015081\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_with_border\" data-theme-style=\"primary\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #FFFFFF;background-color:#015081\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Read more<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-color\" style=\"--slide-min-width:80%;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div no-media-background\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;background:#FFFFFF;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<div style=\"border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-color=\"#000000\" data-border-thickness=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<p class=\"has-pps-navy-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-0e56b0221db7d88cd4015c5d534fc044\"><strong>VIDEOS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-our-government-explained-video-series-nbsp\">Our Government Explained Video Series&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is easy to forget how the federal government supports and improves our daily lives. This video series explores how our government\u2014and its career civil servants\u2014contribute to the public good and move the country forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Our Government Explained (in 3 Minutes or Less): Why do we Pay Taxes?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WcgAwxNt6O0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-color\" style=\"--slide-min-width:80%;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div no-media-background\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;background:#FFFFFF;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<div style=\"border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-color=\"#000000\" data-border-thickness=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<p class=\"has-pps-navy-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-339f4e64cd967f50e31c9734773ed0f0\"><strong>THOUGHT LEADERSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-public-service-leadership-model\">Public Service Leadership Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/public-service-leadership-institute\/public-service-leadership-model\/\">Public Service Leadership Model<\/a> seeks to set the standard for effective federal leadership. It identifies four key competencies\u2014self-awareness, achieving results, leading change and engaging others\u2014that federal leaders should possess to better serve our country and meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image mt-0 mb-0\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Leadership_Model_Leadership-Model.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40605\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-color\" style=\"--slide-min-width:80%;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div no-media-background\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;background:#FFFFFF;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<div style=\"border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-color=\"#000000\" data-border-thickness=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<p class=\"has-pps-navy-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-7916bf2d1a1bf188b73c7c50152d77f5\"><strong>MEDIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-news-articles-and-op-eds\">News Articles and Op-Eds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/2024\/06\/10\/trump-spoils-system-schedule-f-civil-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Washington Post<\/em> | Trump plans to replace the civil service with a government of amateurs.<\/a><\/strong><br>The Washington Post examines how declining trust in government is helping to fuel attacks on the nonpartisan civil service, featuring polling data and recommendations from the Partnership\u2019s 2024 trust report.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicago.suntimes.com\/democracy\/2024\/03\/21\/bloated-federal-government-weakens-democracy-political-appointees-bureaucracy-max-stier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Chicago Sun Times <\/em>| Our federal government is bloated with political appointees, and that weakens democracy<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><\/a>Partnership President and CEO Max Stier explains why we need to reduce the number of political appointees to help our government more effectively address challenges facing the country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/magazine\/2023\/12\/20\/trump-civil-service-00132459\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><strong>Politico<\/strong><\/em><strong><em> <\/em>| \u2018A very large earthquake\u2019: How Trump could decimate the civil service<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><\/a>In an interview with Politico, Partnership President and CEO Max Stier highlights the importance of a merit-based, nonpartisan civil service to our democracy and explains why proposals to convert members of the career workforce to at-will political appointees would harm the public.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/press-release\/partnership-for-public-service-statement-on-opm-merit-system-rule\/\"><strong>Partnership for Public Service statement on OPM merit system rule<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><\/a>Partnership President and CEO Max Stier commends the Office of Personnel Management\u2019s final rule to safeguard the civil service from partisan interference and emphasizes the need for agencies and the administration to make government more responsive, transparent and accountable.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><button class=\"eedee-gutenslider-nav eedee-gutenslider-prev\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\"><circle class=\"bg\" cx=\"13\" cy=\"12\" r=\"11\" \/><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\"\/><path class=\"arrow\" d=\"M10.828 12l4.95 4.95-1.414 1.414L8 12l6.364-6.364 1.414 1.414z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><button class=\"eedee-gutenslider-nav eedee-gutenslider-next\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\"><circle class=\"bg\" cx=\"11\" cy=\"12\" r=\"11\" \/><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\"\/><path class=\"arrow\" d=\"M13.172 12l-4.95-4.95 1.414-1.414L16 12l-6.364 6.364-1.414-1.414z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"eedee-gutenslider-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"gutenslider-divider-bottom \" style=\"color:#fff;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who Is Government? The series&nbsp;Who Is Government&nbsp;was launched by the Washington Post in September 2024 and places a spotlight on the exemplary federal employees whose&nbsp;dedication and commitment drive the essential functions of government that impact&nbsp;our daily lives.&nbsp; The Canary&nbsp;| by Michael Lewis The Sentinel&nbsp;| by Casey Cep The Searchers | by Dave Eggers The Number&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":40637,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"sort-date":"","content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-40665","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.2 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Protecting Democracy: Safeguarding the Civil Service &#8226; Partnership for Public Service<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/protecting-democracy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Protecting Democracy: Safeguarding the Civil Service\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/protecting-democracy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Partnership for Public Service\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/partnershipforpublicservice\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-08T15:41:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2024-Sammies-Finalist-Collage-1024x404.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"404\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@RPublicService\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/protecting-democracy\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/protecting-democracy\/\",\"name\":\"Protecting Democracy: Safeguarding the Civil Service &#8226; 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