Boyle Slams Senseless Trump Job Cuts in Philadelphia Alongside Union Leaders
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) stood with federal employees at Independence Hall to condemn the Trump administration’s reckless layoffs, which threaten essential public servants and undermine Philadelphia’s economy. These cuts impact workers at Independence National Historical Park (INHP), a key economic driver that supports thousands of local jobs.
Boyle called on the administration to invest in INHP rather than strip it of critical resources, especially as the nation’s 250th birthday approaches. He also denounced the firing of more than 400 IRS employees in Philadelphia, warning that these cuts will lead to longer wait times and delayed refunds for taxpayers.
“These aren’t just federal jobs—they’re Pennsylvania jobs,” said Congressman Boyle. “Independence Hall, the birthplace of our democracy, was already understaffed, and now Trump is cutting even more jobs, hurting our economy and local businesses. And that’s not all. Laying off IRS workers in the middle of tax season doesn’t make government more efficient—it makes life harder for everyday Americans. Trump and his co-president Elon Musk aren’t cutting waste, they’re killing good-paying jobs and leaving working families to suffer the consequences.”
Congressman Boyle was joined by Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, along with members of AFGE Local 2058 and Council 270, which represent workers at Independence National Historical Park. He was also joined by members of the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 71, which represents employees at the Internal Revenue Service.
Eighty percent of the federal workforce is based outside of Washington, D.C. In Pennsylvania’s 2nd District alone, the federal government employs approximately 9,000 people, with a total of 66,000 federal employees across Pennsylvania.
“I want to thank Congressman Boyle for holding this event because what’s going on with Trump and Musk’s war on the federal workforce has to be stopped,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “As Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, you’ve been fighting every day to defeat Trump’s crooked budget and his tax cuts for billionaires. Trump and Musk seem to get sadistic pleasure from inflicting pain on federal workers and even worse pain on the American people. But I have news for you, Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk. Federal workers are a lot tougher patriots than you think we are. We are fighting for the future of this country, and we will win!”
“Thanks to my good friend Representative Boyle for being here today,” said AFGE Council 270 Secretary-Treasurer David Fitzpatrick. “We represent the Park Rangers and all the dedicated public servants here at Independence National Historical Park. This is not a TV show. These are real people, dedicated public servants doing the people’s work for the 5 million people that visit the birthplace of America here in Philadelphia each year. We the people will not tolerate Trump and his billionaire friends arbitrarily firing our members, destroying our National Parks, the Constitution, or this union.”
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