When 1,300 workers at the U.S. State Department were recently let go, the outrage from the left came fast and loud.
There were emotional send-offs, teary clap-outs, and even complaints from politicians and journalists claiming this was a threat to America’s standing in the world.
But where was all this concern when tens of thousands of private-sector workers lost their jobs during COVID lockdowns? Where was the hand-wringing when Biden shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline, taking away good-paying jobs from American oil workers overnight?
You didn’t hear much crying then.
That’s the double standard conservatives are tired of.
Looking at State Department documents, it appears the department went from 57,340 total employees in 2007 to 72,895 in 2015 to 80,214 in 2024. So it grew by nearly 23,000 employees before the ‘devastating’ cut of 1,300. pic.twitter.com/KCIUlE6nVN
— Byron York (@ByronYork) July 12, 2025
The Bigger Picture
The State Department has ballooned in size over the years.
According to the department’s own numbers, it went from 57,340 employees in 2007 to 80,214 in 2024. That’s a 40% increase. Some of that growth was tied to new challenges; cybersecurity threats are up more than 500% since 2015, and the department added over 20 pandemic response teams after COVID hit.
But not all of it was essential. Many of the new hires came from overseas expansion or layers of administrative support. Over time, the department became bloated.
That’s why the recent layoffs – just 1.6% of the total staff – were part of a “Workforce Optimization Initiative.”
In other words, the government is finally doing what regular businesses have to do every day: figure out who’s essential and who’s not.
A Strategic Shift, Not a Slashing Spree
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about gutting the State Department. It’s about shifting priorities.
At the same time the 1,300 jobs were cut, Congress passed H.R. 10393, which added 214 new positions focused on AI and emerging technology.
These aren’t old-school desk jobs; they’re designed to bring modern tools into U.S. embassies and streamline operations.
That means fewer paper-pushers and more digital diplomats. Some folks don’t like it, but this is the same kind of tech-focused upgrade that private companies went through a decade ago.
Hypocrisy Watch: Private-Sector Job Losses Got Shrugs
When the pandemic hit, Nevada families saw their businesses shut down by government order.
Servers, bartenders, hairstylists, casino workers – many were called “non-essential” and told to stay home without pay. Others were laid off for good.
No one was holding clap-out ceremonies for them.
And when Biden canceled the Keystone Pipeline? Thousands of workers, many of them union members, lost jobs instantly.
These were folks who built things with their hands – pipefitters, welders, truck drivers.
They didn’t get send-offs. They got pink slips.
Nevada’s energy sector was hit, too. While the pipeline didn’t run through our state, the ripple effect reached suppliers and contractors across the West.
So, excuse the rest of us if we don’t get misty-eyed over some bureaucrats losing redundant office jobs in D.C.
A Tale of Two Parties
There’s also a clear pattern here.
Government jobs tend to grow under Democrat presidents and shrink under Republicans.
From 2009 to 2015, during Obama’s years, the State Department workforce rose by 15%. Then again under Biden, the numbers jumped with new hires for climate work and global health teams.
Now under Trump 2.0, it’s trimming time. Since January 2025, about 69,000 federal jobs have been cut. That’s a shift toward smaller government, something many voters support.
Even with the cuts, the State Department still has more workers today than it did under Obama.
This isn’t slashing. It’s scaling back after years of unchecked growth.
What About Nevada?
Here in Nevada, we understand what real job insecurity feels like.
Our tourism economy collapsed during COVID. Our tradespeople lost work when energy projects were scrapped. Ranchers and rural counties still struggle with federal overreach.
Yet Washington barely blinks. Now that the belt is tightening on federal employees, the same folks who ignored our pain are suddenly crying foul.
It’s a reminder: in the eyes of many in D.C., government jobs matter more than yours.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, every job matters – to the person who holds it, to their family, and to their community.
Government should never treat its own workforce as untouchable while ignoring the suffering of the private sector.
If we’re going to talk about fairness, let’s start there.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
