HUD
Washington, DC

As a Presidential Management Fellow at HUD, I was responsible for helping distribute $7 billion in grants aimed at improving affordable housing, public facilities, and local economies. Many of our grantees were new to federal funding, so my team and I worked to make the process accessible and understandable for them. By fast-tracking these funds, we helped prevent financial hardships and ensured that projects like renovating low-income housing and upgrading community centers could move forward quickly, benefiting families and neighborhoods across the country.

Growing up, I woke up before dawn to work in the fields, picking walnuts to help my family make ends meet. That experience shaped my passion for public service—because I saw firsthand how policies impact people’s lives. The Presidential Management Fellows program gave me the opportunity to turn that passion into action, placing me in roles where I could work on economic and community development at the federal level. It’s one of the most selective and effective programs for bringing in the next generation of government leaders—less than 10% of applicants are chosen. Eliminating it doesn’t just take away a career pathway; it weakens our ability to recruit top talent to solve our country’s toughest challenges. At a time when we need smart, well-trained public servants, cutting the PMF program is a step in the wrong direction.

I'd note the following re. the PMF program:

1. Exceptional Talent Recruitment — The PMF program has historically served as a vital pipeline for attracting top-tier talent to federal service. In 2024, the program received 7,193 applicants, with only 825 selected as finalists, highlighting its competitiveness and the high caliber of candidates it draws.

2. High Retention and Impact — Approximately 87% of PMF participants transition into permanent or term positions within the federal government after completing the two-year fellowship. This retention rate underscores the program's success in developing professionals who contribute significantly to public service.

3. Diverse and Inclusive Participation — The PMF program welcomes graduate students from all academic disciplines and backgrounds, ensuring a diverse cohort of fellows. This inclusivity enriches the federal workforce by bringing varied perspectives and experiences to address complex national challenges.

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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS
Washington, DC

I worked as a Health Insurance Specialist at CMS to help improve public transparency in the commercial health insurance and PBM markets, which are notorious for a lack of transparency. Had I worked at CMS for a longer period before being illegally terminated as a probationary employee, I would have also implemented Affordable Care Act regulations to ensure that health insurance companies spend at least 80% of their premium dollars on medical expenditures.

Without this work, policymakers will not have access to research they need to make informed decisions in order to improve health outcomes and lower costs for patients. Additionally, health insurance companies may find it easier to spend less on medical procedures and pocket a higher proportion of premium dollars than legally allowed.

I believed (and still believe) there is significant value in public service and wanted to make a positive contribution towards the country. Given the massive problems in the US healthcare sector, I was particularly interested in helping improve healthcare programs that could benefit a broad segment of the US population.

If your goal is to make the federal government more efficient and productive, then terminating the PMF program is the last thing you should be doing. The termination of the PMF program makes it abundantly clear that the Trump Administration is only interested in dismantling the government, not making it more efficient.

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US Forest Service
Glenwood, NM

I was the Gila National Forest's only budget staff on a team that should have had three staff members. I managed EMS, fire, and facility budgets while supporting day-to-day field operations. I served as Acting District Ranger for the Wilderness Ranger District and was prepared to make the step into the leadership of the agency with a detail as a Deputy District Ranger lined up to have been occurring at the time I write this.

I wanted to contribute positively to environmental policy, stewarding our public lands, and caring for the people that live and visit these places. This job was a dream come true for me.

As the premier federal leadership development for the United States Government, it cannot be overstated how much value the PMF program has delivered over the past 50 years. PMFs have been our top performers and most dedicated patriots. To be among those cut down in their prime is a devastating loss personally but also for the nation at large. It is in all Americans’ interest that the PMF program be restored and that the highest quality leadership is on-tap in our executive agencies.

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USDA Food and Nutrition Services
New York, NY

My job was to build regulatory policy to maintain the effectiveness and integrity of food distribution programs. Specifically, I worked on emergency feeding programs and tribal food programs.

I have been a public servant since 2017 when I joined the Peace Corps. I see many of the same needs I saw in the Peace Corps within the US. Serving has given my life a lot of meaning and federal service seemed like a way I could maximize my impact.

PMFs are often misunderstood to be interns, given the programs history. But as it’s gotten more and more competitive, it has become a way to bring in talented people with years of job experience to serve on a salary that is lower than what they could otherwise earn.

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NIH

I wanted to work in federal service to serve the American people and improve understudied and underfunded areas of women's health, such as endometriosis and maternal health, and address health disparities.

The PMF program is essential to attract top talent to the government, thereby facilitating innovation and ensuring a skilled workforce.

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US Forest Service
Tuscon, AZ

I have a PhD in a science field and served as on "-ologist" on interdisciplinary teams on legacy mandated processes. I will answer describe my job in the form of a 5-point list of what I would have done last week had I not been terminated:

• Finished my training for a firefighter Type 2 qualification. I had done almost all of the preliminary training. This qualification means I could be called up as part of a militia fire-fighting team throughout the summer during what is expected to be a severe fire year in my region.

• Continued working on a code I’m writing to identify areas where fire fuels are increasing on public lands and may become dangerous in the future.

• Reviewed publicly accessible websites in my region to ensure that all information is up-to-date and accurate.

• Finished a template for an automated report on a legally mandated monitoring issue, which could be used across the country, saving a conservative estimate of 1,500 hours of labor annually (almost 10 months of one person full-time).

• Reviewed potential land management plan components for scientific accuracy and legality as part of an effort to make management plan revisions, a legally required process, more efficient.

I got my degree and postdoctoral fellowship through a public university and grants from the National Science Foundation, meaning that the taxpayers have already made a significant investment in my education and training. I saw public service to a shared resource as a way to pay back that investment. Before accepting my government position, I was interviewing for positions in private industry offering almost double my government salary. I chose my job because I care about public lands and believe in the mission of my agency.

In the year I applied to the PMF program, there was an acceptance rate of 7% and a placement rate of under 4%. In return for the government's investment in my hiring, training, and salary, I have implemented efficiencies in legally required processes that amount to a savings more than triple the amount spent on me. Hiring people who have the skills to improve internal processes while still fulfilling legal requirements, including fidelity to the best available scientific information, is an efficiency that serves taxpayers.

Like many, I am crushed by my firing and especially by the lies contained in my termination letter. My performance was exemplary, with exclusively positive annual reviews, quarterly conversations, and ad-hoc check-ins. I received 2 group performance awards in my first year. It is hard to process my sadness over projects I am leaving behind while also trying to find my next step.

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Essential Health Program Specialist for a large congressional mandated HEAL initiative which is a major investment. Dedicated 40-50% effort focused on this congressional mandate. The other 60-50% are devoted to assist with program specific congressional responses. Provided essential programmatic support for funded and ongoing clinical research projects related to improving neurological health in populations with higher burden and risk of neurological disease. Provided unique expertise in clinical health sciences, human nutrition, prevention research, and engaging communities through community-based projects in populations at risk for disease. My role as Health Program Specialist Fellow helped to advance the health of American populations who needed it the most.

The PMF program is one of integrity and one that instills leadership and service to country. It’s a merit-based program free of any bias from recruitment through the interview process. Some of our nation’s finest top officials are alums of the PMF program and have contributed meaningfully to our society. Eliminating the program will be a major blow to public service and a major deterrent to citizens with advance degrees who want to use their skills and talents to make our nation better. The decision to reinstate the PMF program and current fellows to their appointments will be a step in the right direction for our country and for public service.

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USDA Forest Service
Washington, DC

I served as an accountant. I ensured that the financial statements of the Forest Service were reconciled and reported — ensuring transparency and oversight into agency operations.

I love this country. I’ve always felt a strong call to serve the American public. I wanted to use my skills in a way that benefited future generations and ensured that the federal government was fulfilling its obligation to its citizens.

The PMF program is a long-standing talent pool of patriotic graduate-level candidates who want to serve their country. PMFs are willing to work above and beyond to create a stronger country and civil service. The program attracts highly qualified professionals and helps plug gaps where traditional recruitment fails.

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