Astoria, Ore. — Thousands of federal workers, many of them in Oregon, are feeling the effects of the Trump administration’s decision to slash jobs and freeze funding for key programs. In a move that has rocked both local government sectors and nonprofit organizations, probationary federal employees across the country were abruptly dismissed, with many citing performance issues, despite their strong work records.
One such individual, Jullian Hochstrasser, a former technician with the Southern Oregon-based U.S. Forest Service, recounted her emotional experience after receiving a termination letter. “The letter basically said that because of performance, I was being let go,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. Hochstrasser, who had been praised for her dedication to environmental preservation, salmon population monitoring, and wildfire management, noted that her supervisor had told her that her job performance wasn’t to blame. “We were all given the same letter,” she added. “It’s really tough.”
Hochstrasser’s situation mirrors the experience of many probationary employees in federal agencies who are not protected by civil service laws, which prevent unfair termination. This group of workers, often in entry-level or probationary roles, are bearing the brunt of a nationwide effort to trim down the federal workforce, with layoffs coming after a period of performance reviews or probationary periods that typically span one or more years.
These terminations are part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce the size and cost of the federal government, a goal the president has repeatedly stated is necessary to increase government efficiency. This includes a controversial freeze on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, which has further complicated matters for nonprofit organizations relying on federal support.
Michael Chapman, a former international development aid worker, explained how his consulting work with Alliance for Children Everywhere, a nonprofit supporting orphans and foster children in Africa, was directly affected. “We had a $10 million grant to work with kids in Zambia, Malawi, and Uganda, and that was just cut off overnight,” he said. “Now, we’re left scrambling to find work elsewhere.”
Chapman, who has spent his career working in the nonprofit sector, faces the difficult reality of transitioning into the private sector, a move that will likely come with fewer opportunities for someone with his background in international aid. As he explained, “It’s not a short-term problem. The industry is shaken up, and many of us are out of work. We’re trying to figure out how to pivot.”
The impact of these federal cuts extends beyond the nonprofit sector, reaching into industries across Oregon, including agriculture. Retired U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt, who served in several foreign aid roles, warned that cuts to USAID programs would affect Oregon’s wheat farmers. Programs like Food for Peace, which helps distribute surplus commodities like wheat to struggling countries, directly benefit farmers in Oregon’s rural areas.
“These programs reflect American values, and when we cut them, we not only lose goodwill abroad, but we also risk losing our influence on the world stage,” Marquardt said. He voiced concerns about the growing influence of countries like China, which could fill the void left by U.S. aid efforts in developing nations.
The situation has sparked a mixture of outrage and uncertainty in Oregon. Many local leaders, especially those who work in international development and humanitarian efforts, are alarmed by the administration’s stance on foreign aid. “Oregon has always prided itself on being a beacon of goodwill and humanitarian support, but now, the ripple effect of these cuts is being felt by so many people,” said Chapman, who is among the many now questioning the long-term consequences of the policy shift.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the cuts, citing alleged mismanagement within USAID. “There’s waste and abuse in these programs, and it’s time for change,” she said on Feb. 3. However, critics, including those in the nonprofit sector, argue that the administration is painting a misleading picture of government programs and the people who rely on them.
State-level reactions have been mixed. While some Oregon Republican lawmakers, like Senator Kim Thatcher, praised the administration’s audits of federal spending, others are voicing their concerns about the cuts’ long-term impact on the state’s economy and its people. “This is a tough blow, especially for those who have dedicated their lives to foreign aid and public service,” said one local advocate, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
As for Hochstrasser and others like her, the future remains uncertain. After turning in her gear and reflecting on her contributions to wildfire response and environmental efforts, she’s left wondering what comes next. “I was passionate about my work, and it’s hard to accept that it just ended this way,” she said.
For now, Oregon’s workers, nonprofits, and farmers are bracing for the continued fallout from the administration’s decisions, as it remains unclear how long the impact of these cuts will be felt or whether any changes to these policies will be made in the near future.
