House Speaker Mike Johnson has made a decisive call for the termination of federal employees who reportedly plan to protest U.S. policy on Israel and Gaza by walking out of their jobs. This stern stance by Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, comes in response to an Al-Monitor report that hundreds of federal workers from various agencies intend to partake in the walkout.
Johnson, in his statement, emphasized the responsibility of government workers and the breach of trust involved in such a protest. "Any government worker who walks off the job to protest U.S. support for our ally Israel is ignoring their responsibility and abusing the trust of taxpayers. They deserve to be fired," Johnson stated firmly.
His comments, aimed at reinforcing the significance of duty among federal employees, underscore the growing tension within the U.S. government over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The group reportedly organizing the protest, known as Feds United for Peace, has advertised the event as a "Day of Mourning" to mark the hundredth day since Israel's military action in Gaza began. This movement highlights a split within the federal workforce, where a segment of employees are prepared to challenge the administration's stance on a highly contentious international issue.
The report by Al-Monitor indicates that the protestors include employees from critical departments like Defense, State, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and various intelligence agencies. This breadth of involvement across key federal agencies demonstrates the depth of concern among some federal workers over the U.S.'s role in the ongoing conflict.
Fox News Digital found evidence of the planned protest on an Instagram account associated with Feds United for Peace. The account describes the group as "federal employees representing a range of federal agencies who believe it is our patriotic duty and moral imperative to urge our government to support calls for a ceasefire, and support humanitarian aid and access for Gaza."
Speaker Johnson's demand aligns with a broader debate over the U.S.'s foreign policy stance, particularly regarding its support for Israel. This issue has deeply divided opinions, not only among the public but also within the government. Progressive Democrats like Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush have criticized the Biden administration for actions they perceive as bypassing Congressional authority, especially concerning the U.S.'s military involvement in conflicts abroad.
This internal conflict within the U.S. government reflects the broader struggle to balance national interests with ethical considerations in foreign policy. As the Biden administration navigates these complex waters, the response to the planned walkout could set a precedent for how dissent within the federal workforce is handled on sensitive international issues.
