Trump’s federal crackdown has some in Teton County confused, worried

New administration is acting on promises to crack down on the federal government. Teton County’s federal workforce is no exception.
Of over 20,000 jobs in Teton County, about 500 are with the federal government as of 2024, mostly managing public lands. (Courtesy photo)

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President Trump’s first 10 days brought a flurry of executive actions targeting the federal workforce, including cracking down on the federal government spending – including on employees. That has meant enticing employees to resign, demanding a return to office, stripping some job protections and removing practices for “diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Of over 20,000 jobs in Teton County, about 500 are with the federal government as of 2024, mostly managing public lands, according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. 

Some of Teton County’s federal workers are feeling scared and unsure about the future of their jobs.

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Retiree Susan Marsh worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 31 years, 23 of them in Jackson. She said it’s not unusual to see new administrations make rapid changes and entice retirements.

“Between the time that President Reagan was elected and the time that his inauguration happened, I was hired permanently by the Forest Service,” Marsh said, “And I wouldn’t have gotten that job after he was inaugurated because there was a hiring freeze.” 

But, she’s also seen the effects of insufficient money or workers on the department’s duties.

The federal agencies don’t create jobs to employ people. They have the people’s work to be done and they need people to do it,” Marsh said. “So if the federal workforce gets slashed significantly, then people won’t get the services that they’re used to getting.”

A current Forest Service employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity  — said he and colleagues across other agencies were afraid jobs could disappear and that this week brought sudden meeting cancellations, a sign of restructuring. 

The US Forest Service did not respond to KHOL before publication.

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About Dante Filpula Ankney

Dante Filpula Ankney comes to KHOL as a lifelong resident of the Mountain West. He made his home on the Eastern Montana prairies before moving to the Western Montana peaks to study journalism and wilderness studies. Dante has found success producing award-winning print, audio and video stories for a variety of publications, including a stint as a host at Montana Public Radio. Most recently, he spent a year teaching English in Bulgaria through a Fulbright Fellowship. When he isn’t reporting, you can find Dante outside scaling rocks, sliding across snow or winning a game of cribbage.

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