Massive layoffs in Executive Branch Departments and Agencies

may lead to a stream of whistleblowers emerging. For example, it looks like up to 27% of State Department staff will be laid off, much of it in management positions. Those are smart people who know many things. People often maintain their silence if their job is on the line, which is understandable. People need jobs. However, if that job is no longer on the line, loyalties and reasons for remaining silent may change, too.

The Justice Department, too, has been silent about accusations of wiretaps on the Trump campaign, etc. I expect many people to be leaving the Justice Department, too, particularly those who have ties to the Obama administration. Again, if your job is going and no longer on the line, the reasons for holding your tongue may disappear.

And so it goes. The EPA is going to lay off tons of people, as are a number of other agencies. Trump wants to pay for a huge increase in military spending by shutting down or slashing other Executive Branch organizations.

It hurts to see your career go up in smoke. Often it is a source of anger, as well. I think we may hear from some of those people who know things to start talking about the things they know. If the press is smart, it will be chatting up some of those people, and the press has a reputation for doing just that.

We'll see. Maybe Trump is cutting his own throat here. Let's hope so.