Dave Davies

There's a perception in all of this recent activity that the public payroll is bloated, not just inefficient, but just too many people. How does the federal workforce compare with, I don't know, past decades?

Now, before we talk about the specific measures that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as Elon Musk's outfit is called, let's just talk a little bit about the rules here. I mean, I know that most federal government employees work under the civil service system. Just tell us a little bit about how long we've had that, what it was intended to do.

Now, before we talk about the specific measures that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as Elon Musk's outfit is called, let's just talk a little bit about the rules here. I mean, I know that most federal government employees work under the civil service system. Just tell us a little bit about how long we've had that, what it was intended to do.

Now, before we talk about the specific measures that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as Elon Musk's outfit is called, let's just talk a little bit about the rules here. I mean, I know that most federal government employees work under the civil service system. Just tell us a little bit about how long we've had that, what it was intended to do.

What has been the posture of Donald Trump and his administration and his supporters towards civil service?

What has been the posture of Donald Trump and his administration and his supporters towards civil service?

What has been the posture of Donald Trump and his administration and his supporters towards civil service?

Speaking in general, what protections does the civil service system offer government employees?

Speaking in general, what protections does the civil service system offer government employees?

Speaking in general, what protections does the civil service system offer government employees?

You know, it's been a really turbulent few weeks for federal employees. I wonder, you know, you've done work with these folks. Have you talked to federal employees? What have they told you about their experiences?

You know, it's been a really turbulent few weeks for federal employees. I wonder, you know, you've done work with these folks. Have you talked to federal employees? What have they told you about their experiences?

You know, it's been a really turbulent few weeks for federal employees. I wonder, you know, you've done work with these folks. Have you talked to federal employees? What have they told you about their experiences?

Is there one employee that maybe you could describe for us without identifying them by name or position?

Is there one employee that maybe you could describe for us without identifying them by name or position?

Is there one employee that maybe you could describe for us without identifying them by name or position?

So let's talk about what's happened here. Do we know how many government employees have been taken off the payroll so far by Doge, more or less?

So let's talk about what's happened here. Do we know how many government employees have been taken off the payroll so far by Doge, more or less?

So let's talk about what's happened here. Do we know how many government employees have been taken off the payroll so far by Doge, more or less?

Let's pause on that for a second. I mean, what does that tell you about how government employees feel about their jobs and about this buyout offer, if we can call it that?