Former Obama administration official Marie Harf recently criticized the government over a series of federal layoffs, calling them unethical and unlawful. Her comments sparked debate, particularly as they came amid broader discussions about administrative restructuring and political motives behind workforce changes.

In response, Fox News anchor and former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the dismissals. She cited a 2017 Washington Post report that detailed how certain federal employees resisted President Trump’s early agenda. McEnany used the article to argue that internal opposition had long been a problem in Washington.

She further explained that the layoffs were part of an initiative by the Trump administration to streamline operations through the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to McEnany, some federal employees remained in their roles merely to obstruct progress “out of spite,” rather than to serve the public.

While unions protested, a federal judge recently approved job cuts at USAID, adding legal weight to the administration’s actions. Harf maintained the terminations were improper, but McEnany countered by saying government resistance shouldn’t happen — framing the issue as a test of the American people’s will and their choice in leadership.