Federal workers across the U.S. are feeling the heat as President Trump’s swift policy changes create waves of confusion and concern. From canceled diversity programs to the end of remote work, the new administration’s moves have left many employees scrambling to figure out what’s next.

Take, for example, an Education Department staffer who was at a funeral when she got the call: she was being put on leave because of her work on projects supporting Black students. Or the disabled veteran at the Department of Veterans Affairs, who’s now worried about losing his job after telework options were axed. Even a Federal Trade Commission employee warned family members to avoid political talk on unencrypted lines, fearing repercussions.

The changes came fast and furious, starting on Inauguration Day. Policies rolled out one after another, targeting everything from diversity initiatives to remote work. One memo even called empty federal office buildings a “national embarrassment.” For the more than two million federal workers, these shifts aren’t just about policy—they’re about their livelihoods.

Across agencies, employees are on edge, unsure how to navigate the new rules or what they mean for their futures. Some fear retaliation if they’re seen as resisting the changes. Others are simply trying to figure out how to keep their jobs while balancing family responsibilities.

As the nation’s largest employer, the federal government’s upheaval doesn’t just affect workers—it ripples through communities nationwide. For now, uncertainty reigns, leaving many to wonder what’s next in this whirlwind of change.