January 20^th, 2025, the United States of America has not been the same. We are currently in the month of March and under this current administration over 30,000 workers have been laid off or fired according to multiple news sources. Out of those 30,000 workers Sh’Rhea Romain was one of them effected. She was a case worker assisting with Fathers, SNAP benefits, just to name a few. When President Trump activated DOGE to go through the Federal Offices to see who was doing what and what money was being used inappropriately, Romain’s job was one of those that were hit. Her department was being funded by the Government to pay their employees.

“On top of me losing my job with the Government, I am also on Medicare because I must get treatments and that is on the line to be taken as well. It seems it is just one thing after another,” stated Romain.

According to Indiana monthly employment reports, “The unemployment rate of the State of Indiana in December was recorded to be 4.5%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate reported for December was 4.1%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is 63.5% compared to the national rate of 62.5%. This rate is the percentage of Hoosiers 16 and older that are either working or actively looking for work. Those not in the labor force include, primarily, students, retirees and other non-working populations, such as individuals unable to work due to a disability or illness, or adults responsible for their family’s childcare needs. Indiana’s total labor force stands at 3,451,468 and is at its highest on record.” (In.gov, January 28^th, 2025).

Another women that I spoke with who wanted to remain anonymous, because she is nervous about what may happen to her. “I was one of the federal workers that received the email from Elon Musk asking what we did the prior week. At first, we were told by our superior not to answer and then we were told that we had to. There are so much different things being told and I am so scared to lose my job. I have been working for the Government for over 20 years and now it can be gone in the blink of an eye.” There has not been another update since she has made this statement.

According to a PBS News article, some workers in St. Louis shared their frustrations as well. “I didn’t even have a work performance appraisal in my file because I was still going through training. So how can you say I’m being let go for my performance? We don’t even have a review on my performance,” Wise said.

On a lighter side of things, a Federal Judge ordered President Trump that his firings were illegal and that he has to re-hire all the employees that were laid off or fired. As of right now, there has not been an update on when that will take place, but hopefully it will be soon.