Air Force Vet Fired, Voices Concerns During Trump’s Congressional Address

WASHINGTON — Chris Wicker, a six-year Air Force veteran, was recently dismissed from his position as deputy director of the Small Business Administration’s Minnesota office, just after securing his dream job. His termination was part of what’s being called a federal worker purge by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

On the night of President Donald Trump‘s address to a joint session of Congress, Wicker is attending as a guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar. His presence highlights the challenges faced by federal workers who have lost their jobs amid government restructuring. “I know there was no bad performance,” Wicker said, reflecting on his termination. “So I’m speaking up on behalf of all the federal workers who are being treated like garbage.”

Wicker’s firing followed a confusing series of emails indicating his employment status. Initially told he had two weeks left, he later received communications that he was terminated immediately. “To this day, no human beings have been involved; I’ve been fired by robots twice,” he remarked. This sentiment echoes a growing frustration among federal employees regarding their treatment under the current administration.

Wicker’s journey to Washington is more than symbolic. He expressed a mix of emotions about attending the address, acknowledging the honor but also the anger stemming from changes in policy affecting refugees and federal employees. Wicker’s own experiences in Afghanistan motivated him to advocate for interpreters who assisted U.S. forces during the war. “I connected with Omar’s office to resettle three Afghan interpreters who helped me,” he noted.

Omar hopes Wicker’s attendance will humanize the plight of those impacted by federal layoffs. “Right now, the federal employees are nameless and faceless,” she stated. “They’re being treated like hot steaming garbage, and it’s enraging.” Her goal is to shift the narrative from abstract statistics to real stories of dedicated workers.

While Wicker may not identify as a political activist, his recent experiences have catalyzed a desire to speak out. He emphasized the need for decent governance, advocating for effective policies rather than decisions made with a “sledgehammer approach.” His remarks come amid a backdrop of widespread national discussion on government efficiency and employee welfare.

On Tuesday, Trump’s address is expected to outline his administration’s priorities, including cuts to federal spending and shifts in immigration policy. The Democratic response is likely to feature themes of discontent over perceived job losses and welfare cuts.

Reflecting on the situation, Wicker said, “I’m honored and humbled… but I’m absolutely furious about how the federal workforce has been treated.” He intends to use his Washington trip to elevate the stories of those affected by hiring freezes and layoffs without human consideration.