US agency staff told not to speak with Congress, lawmaker says
Staff at the U.S. farm, environment and interior agencies have been instructed by the Trump administration not to speak with the U.S. Congress, causing a disruption in communication that has strayed from longstanding relationships between agency staff and lawmakers. This move reflects the broader tensions surrounding executive power and accountability within the federal government. The action is particularly concerning given the chaotic manner in which thousands of federal workers were fired across the three agencies.
- The erosion of channels for direct communication between government agencies and Congress raises questions about how to maintain transparency and oversight in a system where authority can be concentrated in the hands of a single individual.
- How will this development impact the ability of future administrations to navigate complex policy issues without resorting to secrecy and authoritarian measures?