Trump’s birthday military parade sparks chaos: Federal workers ordered to work-from-home

As President Donald Trump gears up for a massive military parade in Washington, D.C. this Saturday to celebrate the US Army’s 250th anniversary and which also happens to be his 79th birthday, his administration has made an exception, as per a report.

Donald Trump's Birthday Parade Forces Policy Reversal

In a surprising reversal of Trump’s strict return-to-office policy, the administration is temporarily relaxing remote work rules to accommodate the $45 million parade, which will feature tanks, aircraft, and thousands of soldiers in the capital, according to Daily Beast.

As per a memo obtained by Politico, federal agencies were advised last week to permit “situational/unscheduled telework” from Wednesday to Friday to reduce traffic and avoid disrupting security and parade preparations, as per the report.


The Office of Personnel Management wrote that “To help alleviate traffic congestion, prevent disruptions to preparation activities, and minimize any distractions to law enforcement and security officials, agencies [are reminded of] their authority to approve situational/unscheduled telework and other workforce flexibilities for impacted employees at their sole discretion,” quoted Daily Beast.

USDA Goes Full Remote

While USDA workers have been asked to work from home for up to three weeks, reported Politico. An internal email recommended doing “maximum telework” as the department’s South Building is in restricted access from June 1 until June 20, according to the report.

Double Standard?

The national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, Everett Kelly said, “It’s hypocritical for this administration to encourage telework when it’s convenient for the planning of President Trump’s birthday party, after forcing workers back into the office under baseless claims of reduced productivity while working remotely,” quoted Daily Beast.

FAQs

Why are federal workers being told to work from home?
To reduce traffic and avoid disrupting the military parade preparations in D.C., workers are being allowed to telework for a few days or even weeks, in some cases.

Isn’t Trump against remote work?
Yes. One of his first moves after returning to office was to roll back telework policies. But for the parade, his administration made an exception