During a rally held on Tuesday for federal workers on the U.S. Capitol grounds, Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) inadvertently drew attention for her impassioned, if somewhat unpolished, remarks directed at President Donald Trump. Speaking alongside other lawmakers, union members, and labor activists at the event organized by the American Federation of Government Employees, Dexter’s moment in the spotlight was marked by a slip of the tongue that quickly went viral. “I don’t swear in public very well, but we have to fuck Trump,” she declared, which was met with a chorus of applause from the crowd. Seemingly embarrassed by her own words, she later added, “Please don’t tell my children that I just did that.” The rally itself was a call to action, urging Congress to protect civil service jobs and resist the politicization of federal employment—a response to recent moves by the Trump administration to undermine civil service protections and federal employee union contracts.
The event took place in Upper Senate Park, where lawmakers and union leaders addressed a crowd of federal workers, labor activists, and supporters. The rally was organized amid growing concerns over the Trump administration’s efforts to strip federal workers of their civil service protections. Earlier this month, President Trump had announced plans to nullify federal employee union contracts, claiming they were designed “to harm my administration.” This move was met with fierce opposition from lawmakers and union representatives, who viewed it as an attack on the rights and stability of federal workers. The rally served as a platform for lawmakers to voice their support for these workers and to push back against what they described as an overreach of executive power.
Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) was among the speakers who preceded Dexter. His speech ended with a bold declaration: “Fuck Trump.” While his statement was direct and unambiguous, it set the stage for Dexter’s own remarks, which she later admitted she struggled to follow. With only 30 seconds allotted for her speech, Dexter expressed her solidarity with federal workers and echoed the urgency of the moment. Her unplanned profanity, while surprising, resonated with many in the crowd, who saw it as a reflection of the frustration and anger felt by many over the administration’s policies. However, Dexter’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on her remarks.
In addition to her forcefully worded critique of the president, Dexter also used the opportunity to discuss her recent legislative efforts. She introduced the Stop Musk Act just last week, her first bill since taking office in January. The bill aims to protect federal employees from retaliation for resisting or preventing what she described as “Elon Musk’s unlawful actions.” Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has recently taken on a significant role in the federal government through his non-Cabinet department, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The department’s stated goal is to reduce government spending, but its methods and influence have raised eyebrows among lawmakers and federal workers alike.
Musk’s involvement in the government has been contentious, particularly after DOGE accessed sensitive data within the Treasury Department last week. While a federal judge later blocked that access, both Musk and Trump have defended Musk’s role in the government, arguing that his efforts are necessary to streamline federal operations and reduce waste. Musk, who has not been elected to public office by American voters, spoke from the Oval Office on Tuesday, asserting that his reforms reflect the will of the people. “The people voted for major government reform and that’s what the people are going to get,” he said, adding, “That’s what democracy is all about.” His comments, however, have only heightened concerns among critics who question the legality and propriety of his involvement in federal affairs.
The rally and the broader debate over federal employment protections highlight the deepening political divide in Washington, as well as the growing tensions between the Trump administration and its critics. Lawmakers like Dexter and Norcross are increasingly vocal in their opposition to what they see as an assault on the civil service system and the rights of federal workers. Meanwhile, figures like Musk and Trump continue to push for sweeping changes to the government, arguing that such reforms are necessary to restore efficiency and accountability. As these battles unfold, the role of federal workers and the future of civil service protections remain central to the ongoing political conversation in the nation’s capital.
