Episode Summary: AFGE Leader Sharia Smith on Fighting Back Against Trump

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Sharia Smith, President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Episode Focus: The impact of Donald Trump's administration on federal employees, particularly within the Department of Education, and strategies for fighting back.

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas engage in a deep and urgent conversation with Sharia Smith, President of AFGE Local 252. The discussion centers on the sweeping dismissals of federal employees orchestrated by former President Donald Trump and the profound consequences these actions have on public service and democracy.

Trump’s Dismissal of Federal Employees

Ben opens the conversation by highlighting the alarming trend of Trump’s administration systematically firing long-standing, dedicated government workers and replacing them with individuals aligned with the MAGA movement. He underscores the severity of these actions by referencing the State Department as a primary example:

Ben (00:58): "We are getting rid of our best and brightest career people and replacing them with Loomers. How despicable is that?"

Ben elaborates on the emotional and societal implications of these terminations, emphasizing the loss of experienced professionals who have devoted their lives to critical functions such as international sex trafficking prevention and diplomatic efforts. The visual imagery of career workers being escorted out of buildings serves as a powerful symbol of this administration’s disregard for established public service.

Impact on the Department of Education

Transitioning to the Department of Education, Ben criticizes the administration’s drastic budget cuts and manipulative tactics aimed at undermining educational institutions:

Ben (02:30): "They somehow think that they're not going to just keep on coming back to the well of the Trump regime and keep coming after Columbia University."

He accuses Secretary Linda McMahon of weaponizing the department to target individuals with student loans and publicly attack universities, thereby eroding the foundation of educational support for working Americans.

Interview with Sharia Smith

Sharia Smith joins the discussion to provide an insider perspective on the turmoil within the Department of Education and its broader impact on American workers and students.

1. The Assault on Working Americans

Sharia Smith (04:04): "What we are experiencing as a nation is an attack on working people... trying to defund the main means for working people to advance and improve their lives, which is through education."

Sharia outlines how the Trump administration’s actions are not only dismissing employees but are actively undermining the educational infrastructure that supports low-income and working families. The strategic defunding of educational programs threatens to stifle opportunities for advancement and perpetuates socio-economic disparities.

2. Personal Impact on AFGE Members

Sharia Smith (05:26): "Most of our members are extremely qualified. We could find other jobs, but we dedicated our careers in public service because we care about serving the public."

She shares poignant stories of AFGE members whose livelihoods have been jeopardized, including those facing personal hardships such as health crises without the safety net of continued employment and benefits. These terminations are not merely job losses but attacks on the dignity and stability of individuals committed to public service.

3. The Process and Defamation

Sharia Smith (08:09): "They are putting a bulldozer to our administration, our agency... and it's a disrespect for the American people."

Sharia criticizes the impersonal and hasty nature of the terminations, likening the process to a "reality show" where employees are discarded without proper cause or consideration. This not only defames the individuals but also erodes trust in federal institutions.

4. Legal and Institutional Responses

Sharia Smith (09:00): "We are the taxpayers. We are American citizens. Citizens. So if you're going to fire us, there has to be just two reasons."

She emphasizes the legal protections for federal employees, asserting that terminations must be justified by poor performance or redundancy. The ongoing lawsuits against the administration and Secretary McMahon highlight the critical need for the services provided by these employees, particularly financial services essential for many Americans.

5. Call to Action and Future Outlook

Sharia Smith (10:28): "You absolutely should and can contact your elected officials and let them know that you want these illegal actions to stop."

In a rallying cry, Sharia urges listeners to engage politically by contacting their representatives to oppose the unlawful termination of essential public services. She highlights the importance of preserving educational opportunities for future generations and maintaining the integrity of federal institutions.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Ben expressing gratitude to Sharia Smith for her insights and urging listeners to support AFGE’s efforts in defending public service roles. The brothers reiterate the critical nature of protecting democracy and the indispensable role of federal employees in upholding it.

Key Takeaways

• Systematic Dismissals: The Trump administration is actively firing experienced federal workers, replacing them with individuals aligned with extremist views, thereby weakening critical government functions.

• Impact on Education: Strategic cuts and hostile actions against the Department of Education threaten to dismantle essential educational programs, disproportionately affecting low-income and working families.

• Personal and Societal Consequences: Terminations are not just job losses but attacks on the dignity and stability of public servants, with ripple effects on their families and the broader community.

• Legal Challenges: Current lawsuits aim to restore essential services and hold the administration accountable for illegal terminations, underscoring the necessity of these roles.

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to actively oppose these actions by contacting elected officials and supporting union efforts to defend public service jobs.

Notable Quotes

• Ben: "We are getting rid of our best and brightest career people and replacing them with Loomers. How despicable is that?" (00:58)

• Sharia Smith: "These are all attacks on working people... defunding those avenues altogether." (05:01)

• Sharia Smith: "Most of our members are extremely qualified. We could find other jobs, but we dedicated our careers in public service because we care about serving the public." (05:26)

• Sharia Smith: "They are putting a bulldozer to our administration, our agency... and it's a disrespect for the American people." (08:09)

• Sharia Smith: "You absolutely should and can contact your elected officials and let them know that you want these illegal actions to stop." (10:28)

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a critical examination of the Trump administration’s impact on federal employment and education, underscored by the passionate advocacy of Sharia Smith. It serves as a call to action for listeners to engage in preserving democratic institutions and supporting public servants vital to America’s future.