They quit government to protest Trump. Now they are running for Congress to stop him. [View all]
Source: Reuters
December 18, 2025 5:55 PM EST Updated 10 hours ago
CAPE MAY, New Jersey, Dec 18 (Reuters) - It was Megan O'Rourke's dream job. As a top climate scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she oversaw grants for research projects aimed at making food production healthier and more sustainable. But when President Donald Trump's administration began targeting funding programs associated with climate change, O'Rourke decided she could no longer work for the government and remain true to her moral compass – or the oath she swore to serve the country, not just the president.
A few months after quitting her job, she's fighting back against Trump by running for Congress as a Democrat in New Jersey's 7th district, one of the few competitive U.S. House races likely to determine control of the chamber in 2026. "I literally sat down a year ago with my husband, and we were plotting out our retirement in 12 years," said O'Rourke, 46. "Then one day, I went to him early this spring: 'Honey, what if I blow up our life and quit my job?'"
More than a half-dozen federal employees from departments including Justice, Veterans Affairs, State and Agriculture who quit or lost their jobs after the Trump administration swung a wrecking ball through their agencies are running for Congress as Democrats. Each has put their record of public service, and their experience during the opening months of Trump's second term, at the center of their campaign.
Democrats need to flip three Republican seats in next year's midterm elections to win a House majority. That would enable them to stymie much of Trump's legislative agenda and investigate his administration.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/they-quit-government-protest-trump-now-they-are-running-congress-stop-him-2025-12-18/
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