It’s no secret that widespread federal job losses have been hitting Montgomery County residents hard. More than 4,000 residents lost their “good government jobs” in the first half of 2025, prior to the ongoing personnel changes under the Trump administration that former Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk likened to a “chainsaw cutting through bureaucracy”
That number continues to grow and impact the local economy, which relies on more than 48,000 federal jobs and roughly $11 billion in annual federal spending to fuel the county, according to research released by the Committee for Montgomery at their recent legislative event.
In the latest edition of “The Pulse,” MCM News dedicates an entire half hour to examine how the widespread and sudden reduction in the federal workforce has affected Montgomery County residents once gainfully employed by federal agencies. From deeply personal stories of coping and career pivots, to a move across the country in hopes of making ends meet, viewers will see the resiliency of their fellow community members in the face of uncertainty.
Watch Now: “The Pulse: Fired, Furloughed & Fed Up with Federal Work”
Featured in this Episode
- Izola Shaw, a Rockville resident running for office after losing her job at the National Institutes of Health.
- Scott Neilitz, who enrolled in a Montgomery College program after losing his job at the National Democratic Institute to become certified as middle school math teacher.
- Denise Mortimer, a Takoma Park artist and founder of the Rocket Bear Project, who is creating pet portraits to comfort displaced federal workers.
- Candace Broda, a former federal worker who has found comfort from man’s best friend and the Rocket Bear Project during her time of transition.
- Jacob Saunders, a Silver Spring man who lost his federal job after only five weeks in the role.
- Mariama Keïta-Thiero, a former Montgomery County resident who is now looking for a new path forward after reaching the highest post in her former federal job …
…and more.
Help Put Montgomery County Back to Work
If you are an employer who would like to hire any one of the Montgomery County residents featured in this special report, please contact us and MCM’s news team will work to facilitate an introduction.
Employers and recruiters are invited to email us: web@mymedia.org or fill out our news tip line form online.
Meet the Team Behind The Pulse: Fired, Furloughed & Fed Up, Former Federal Work:
News
- Markette Sheppard – Host and Executive Producer
- Fran Murphy – Chief Public Affairs Correspondent
- Frank Hanrahan – Sports Reporter
- Maryam Shahzad – General Assignment Reporter
- Suzanne Pollak – Multimedia Reporter and Fact Checker
Production
- Bryan Washington – Director and Head of Production
- Bob Kanner – Lead Editor
- Jacob Ehlers – Story Editor
- Jaclyn Shin – Story Editor
- Joey Bozzonetti – Photographer & Teleprompter Operator
- Jimmy Albert – Set Supervisor
Interns
- Olivia Fanders – Social Media Correspondent
- Kiara Moore – Reporter
The Pulse is part of MCM’s ongoing mission to elevate local journalism, amplify community voices, and keep residents connected through the power of local media. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this and new programming.
