Gov. Kathy Hochul blasted Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) on Monday after she met with federal workers who felt the ax from President Trump’s billionaire right-hand man.
The governor held a roundtable discussion at her Manhattan office with those recently laid off as part of Musk’s DOGE cutbacks. The meeting aimed to shed light on the unexpected layoffs and marked the expansion of Hochul’s “You’re Hired” initiative to recruit experienced public sector workers into New York’s state service.
Members affected by the surprised releases shared a collective frustration: the abrupt termination of their roles has left them grappling with uncertainty, both emotionally and financially.
Hochul didn’t shy away from expressing her disdain for the forces responsible for the federal cuts. Her message was clear: in New York, public servants are valued, not vilified.
“Elon Musk and his clueless cadre of career killers know nothing about how government works, who it serves, and the tireless federal employees who keep it running,” she said. “While DOGE says ‘You’re fired,’ New York is ready to say ‘You’re hired’ — and we’re making sure talented, experienced federal workers know about the many opportunities available in our state workforce.”
First announced last week, the “You’re Hired” program is expanding to include digital billboards designed to attract federal employees in Washington, D.C.’s Union Station and New York’s Moynihan Station.
The roundtable also led to the creation of a new brochure aimed at impacted federal workers, detailing job opportunities within the state and providing resources to support their job search efforts.
Luke Graziani, a veteran who was recently terminated from his job at a Bronx VA hospital, has over two decades of military service. He said he was shocked and disappointed to be laid off.
“After my two decades of military service, including four combat tours, I never imagined that one day I’d be terminated from my job at the VA and treated like nothing more than a number in a spreadsheet. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for providing this forum for us to share our experiences,” he said.
Graziani and other participants in the roundtable emphasized the broader implications of losing seasoned public servants who play key roles in the functioning of various essential services.
“This has been a deeply challenging time, not only for us and our families but for thousands of other hardworking federal employees and the many Americans who rely on the services delivered by our agencies,” a group of impacted workers who want to remain anonymous in fear of retaliation said in a statement.
New York currently has more than 7,000 job openings across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, engineering, and more. Hochul said she is looking to attract skilled individuals to fill these roles.
“We are in competition for the top attorneys, the top engineers,” she said. “I want to know when the storms are coming. I want to make sure that our consumers are protected.”
The recruitment campaign is part of a larger strategy to rebuild the public workforce, which has faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To assist those impacted by the layoffs, the state Department of Labor is hosting a series of information sessions and free webinars that offer guidance on support services.
“Recruiting former federal workers into State service benefits all New Yorkers,” said state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Workers get good paying, stable employment and the State gets seasoned civil servants eager to lend their expertise to supporting government services.”
Additionally, the state is making strides in employment accessibility through programs like the Veterans Temporary Hiring Program, which aims to ease the path for veterans entering state service. The department is also waiving certain civil service exam requirements to expedite the hiring process, signaling an urgent need to reintegrate experienced workers swiftly.
Hochul said she learned that the cutbacks came “so wildly unexpected” for the federal workers she met with. She stressed that public servants in government contribute to America’s greatness.
“New York does want you, New York needs you; come work in the greatest state in the nation,” Hochul said. “It’s not the demagogues and the technocrats who make America great, it’s public servants.”
