WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are looking to give federal employees an avenue to help with the party’s efforts to hit back against the Trump administration, launching a new “Whistleblower” portal for civil servants to submit concerns or complaints.
In a letter meant to inform federal civil servants and other public servants of the new submission site, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., referred to whistleblowers as the “backbone of government oversight and accountability.”
“Whistleblowers are essential in helping uncover fraud and abuse in the federal government,” the senators wrote. “If you have information you want to share about wrongdoing, abuse of power, and threats to public safety, we stand ready to support you in your pursuit of truth and justice.”
The portal on the Senate Democrats website, asks for the complaint filer's name, organization, email and phone number before giving the employee a list of options to choose from under “Nature of Complaint.” It then provides space for the filer to include the agency or organization involved and a description of the complaint.
In the letter, the Democratic senators note that the Whistleblower Protection Act bars retaliation against federal employees who provide evidence of wrongdoing within the government, calling it a “crucial safeguard against corruption and abuse of power.” The senators also provided a list of resources, including information on the act’s protections, for those considering disclosing a concern.
One of Trump's and particularly special government employee Elon Musk's most prominent priorities since the president took the White House once again has been reshaping and shrinking the federal workforce itself.
Schumer and Peters noted that they already have been working “tirelessly” to hit back against the actions of Trump and his administration and pledged – even in the face of Republicans controlling the Senate – to issue demand letters, preserve public records, conduct public hearings and take legal action “if necessary” against the White House.
“Through oversight requests, hearings, and inquiries, our caucus is determined to hold accountable those who have engaged in lawless actions that undermine our democracy, and the courageous disclosures of whistleblowers will be invaluable to that mission.,” they wrote.
The launch of the portal came alongside a new letter Schumer sent to Democrats in the upper chamber detailing plans, including through oversight, litigation, legislation and communication, to counter President Donald Trump and the governing of his second administration.
In the "Dear Colleague" letter, Schumer informed Democrats in the upper chamber of the portal, casting it as another tool against the Trump administration's "cruel and illegal actions."
The Senate Democratic letter also said his party would hold "spotlight" independent hearings on actions coming out of the administration, support legislation from state attorneys general and other organizations challenging Trump's moves, and work to ensure lawmakers are informed of what is taking place in order to mobilize. Schumer also noted the upcoming government funding deadline and the possibility that Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, will need Democratic votes to help avert a shutdown.
