Sen. Chris Murphy Slams Trump Aide Over Claims of Left-Wing Federal Workforce

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) forcefully rejected a claim made by senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller on Tuesday, after Miller alleged that nearly all employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had donated to left-wing candidates or causes. Miller, a longtime aide to President Donald Trump, made the assertion during an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper, arguing that the vast majority of federal employees are politically aligned with the left.

“There are 2 million federal employees in the federal government,” Miller said. “And overwhelmingly, the career federal service in this country is far left, left-wing.” Tapper immediately pushed back. “I don’t know that to be a fact,” he responded. Miller doubled down, offering what he claimed was an example.

“Well, I’ll give you an example,” Miller said. “We looked at USAID as an example. Ninety-eight percent of the workforce donated to either Kamala Harris or another left-wing candidate.” USAID, a federal agency responsible for administering international development and humanitarian aid, plays a critical role in global disaster relief and poverty alleviation.

The claim that its workforce overwhelmingly supports left-wing candidates sparked immediate criticism. Later in the evening, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins asked Sen. Murphy about the Trump administration’s suggestion that it was reviewing the political affiliations of career government employees. The senator wasted no time dismantling Miller’s claim.

“First of all, that’s not true. Ninety-eight percent of USAID employees did not donate to Kamala Harris. They are making up facts,” Murphy said. He accused the Trump administration of seeking to purge government agencies of nonpartisan professionals and replace them with loyalists. “The Trump administration has made no bones about it,” Murphy continued.

“They want a purge from government,” Murphy argued that Trump is attempting to turn the government into a machine that rewards personal loyalty and enriches his allies. “The only qualification to Donald Trump for you to serve in government is if you pledge a loyalty oath to him personally and are willing to facilitate his corruption,” Murphy said.

“He’s trying to turn the government into an enrichment vehicle for his billionaire friends. He wants to steal from ordinary people in order to help his Mar-a-Lago crowd. If you aren’t interested in that agenda, then you can’t work for the president of the United States.”

The senator defended USAID workers, emphasizing that their mission is not political but rather focused on advancing U.S. interests abroad through humanitarian efforts and international development programs.

Murphy’s rebuke underscores growing concerns about Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce, with critics warning that his administration is prioritizing ideological loyalty over experience and expertise in government service.