A growing number of governors, mostly Democrats, have begun to recruit federal workers affected by DOGE’s efforts for public- and private-sector jobs in their states.
Governors around the country are putting up “We’re hiring” signs for fired federal workers.
In light of the thousands of federal job cuts doled out by President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk via the Department of Government Efficiency, a growing number of governors, mostly Democrats, are trying to woo those employees to apply for state government jobs. Others have promoted private sector opportunities and other resources available for those who are newly in the job market.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, launched a recruiting effort this week, dubbed the “You’re Hired” initiative, specifically targeting federal workers who have lost their jobs as a result of DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts. Her office has assembled a job board of open New York state positions.
“The federal government might say, ‘You’re fired,’ but here in New York, we say, ‘You’re hired,’” Hochul said in a Tuesday video announcing the initiative. “We love federal workers. Whatever your skills, we value public service.”
Last week, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, signed an executive order instituting an expedited hiring process for qualified federal workers who’d recently lost their jobs seeking employment in state government positions. The effort aims to provide candidates who’ve applied for Hawaii jobs with a conditional job offer within two weeks of their application submission.
“As we witness the very quickly changing landscape of the federal government, federal workforce and federal policies, this order directs state agencies to review candidates and make a conditional job offer within 14 days of receiving an individual’s application,” Green said in a statement announcing the initiative.
At least one Republican governor has gotten in on the effort, too, by trying to advertise private sector jobs to fired federal workers.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, where approximately 340,000 federal workers live, has praised the DOGE initiative while his administration has also launched a website effort to tout the 250,000 open positions across Virginia.
His administration’s “Federal Worker Resource Bundle” also includes information about applying for unemployment benefits, preparing for a job search and understanding health care options.
“Come work here,” Youngkin said at a news conference this week. “Come experience those powerful words of ‘You are hired.’ Take advantage of the resources that will help you find your pathway to that career of your dreams.”
Thousands of federal workers have been terminated from agencies and departments across the federal government since DOGE was created, though the exact number is unclear.
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Some Democratic governors haven’t gone as far as actively recruiting fired federal workers, but have launched programs designed to provide them with resources to ease their unemployment.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s administration, for instance, set up a “Maryland Public Servants Resource Website” earlier this month intended to serve a centralized location for fired federal workers to seek assistance.
The website includes information on unemployment insurance, job boards and resources related to health insurance, housing, veterans’ services and legal services. Maryland is home to at least 160,000 federal civilian jobs.
“The White House continues to take actions that jeopardize the livelihoods of our public servants and upend how the federal government can best serve the American people and advance our shared priorities,” Moore said in a statement announcing the site. “We still hope we can move in partnership with this new administration to address common goals. But in light of recent actions that are hurting Marylanders, we must step up to defend our people.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham launched a similar resource website for fired federal workers earlier this week.
The site includes job boards, career education, training and recruitment events for positions in both the public and private sectors, as well as resources regarding unemployment insurance.
“We are committed to ensuring that New Mexicans who have been abruptly dismissed from federal jobs have the resources and support they need to transition smoothly into new career opportunities,” Lujan Grisham said in a Monday statement announcing the effort.
Several other Democratic governors have spoken out in recent weeks about wanting to help fired federal workers in their states.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, for example, quickly issued statements and information for fired workers this month alerting them to their legal rights and the legal and financial resources available to them within days of DOGE’s first termination efforts.
