Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy‘s proposal to overhaul the federal workforce caught the attention of critics and sparked a wave of reactions.
Ramaswamy recently took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce that if elected in 2024, he plans to terminate half of federal government employees on his first day in office based on the last digit of their social security numbers. The unconventional plan immediately raised eyebrows and skepticism.
In a series of tweets, Ramaswamy suggested that eliminating government workers with odd-numbered social security numbers would downsize the government without causing any disruption. He also argued that mass firings are exempt from civil service rules, making his plan feasible.
Responding to the backlash, Ramaswamy further defended his proposal, stating that it avoids civil service protections, making it difficult for terminated employees to claim they were politically targeted. He emphasized that executing the plan would require an undisguised initial reorganization to make it work.
However, critics were quick to criticize the plan. With only 4% of the vote, Ramaswamy faces an uphill battle in the GOP race, where former President Donald Trump is the clear front-runner with 58%.
Many took to Twitter to express their disbelief and concern over Ramaswamy’s proposed revamp of the government workforce, calling it “dumb,” “ridiculous,” and suggesting alternative, more effective methods. The plan’s effectiveness and legality have also been called into question, with critics highlighting the potential consequences and repercussions of such a drastic overhaul.
As the public debate continues, Ramaswamy’s proposal has become a point of contention and a topic of intense discussion in the political arena. The controversy surrounding his plan raises questions about the future direction of federal bureaucracy and government reform.
