Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 4 June 2025

"Want a Federal Job? Get Ready to Pledge Allegiance to Trump," New York Magazine

In a politically charged atmosphere, Trump's administration has rolled out a new Merit Hiring Plan that requires federal job applicants to demonstrate their allegiance to the President and his policies. As the federal workforce grapples with these new requirements, concerns grow over the implications for future administrations and the potential politicization of civil service roles.

• Essay requirements: Applicants for federal jobs graded GS-5 or higher must answer four essay questions, including their commitment to the Constitution and how they would advance the President's Executive Orders, intertwining personal beliefs with job qualifications.
• Political allegiance: The new hiring rules emphasize the importance of political loyalty to Trump, potentially alienating candidates who do not align with his agenda, and institutionalizing a system that could lead to a biased workforce.
• Long-term consequences: Critics warn that this Merit Hiring Plan could create a “deep state” of Trump loyalists within the civil service, making it difficult for future administrations to implement their policies effectively and leading to increased turnover in government positions.

"Navy set to rename ship honoring Harvey Milk amid DEI purge," Politico

In a significant DEI move, the US Navy has announced plans to rename a ship that honors Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, just in time for Pride month.

• The ship named after Harvey Milk was originally commissioned to honor his contributions to LGBTQ+ rights and representation.
• The renaming comes amid broader DEI initiatives within the military, which have faced scrutiny and pushback from various political factions.
• This decision is part of a larger trend where institutions are reevaluating how they commemorate historical figures in light of contemporary values and social movements.

"Trump Makes America’s Refugee Program a Tool of White Racial Grievance," New Yorker

President Donald Trump has transformed the US refugee program into a mechanism for advancing white racial grievances. This shift raises significant concerns about the implications for asylum seekers and the historical foundations of the refugee system.

• Trump signed an executive order suspending the admission of refugees just hours into his second term, leaving thousands stranded and awaiting uncertain fates.
• The new administration has prioritized admitting only those refugees deemed capable of "fully and appropriately assimilating," a directive that has sparked accusations of racial bias.
• The introduction of the Office of Remigration marks a drastic shift in US immigration policy, focusing on returning undocumented immigrants rather than providing refuge.