FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dave Martin
646-483-5898
dave.goodgovpodcast@gmail.com
New York, NY — April 2, 2026— What happens when the people who make government work begin to disappear?
In a powerful new episode of The Good Government Show, attorney and public service leader Rob Shriver of Democracy Forward explores a critical—and largely unseen—challenge facing the nation: the erosion of the federal workforce and what it means for everyday Americans.
Shriver, a former Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, brings an insider’s perspective to a moment of unprecedented disruption. With more than 300,000 federal workers leaving government in a single year, he warns of a growing loss of expertise, continuity, and public trust.
At stake is more than bureaucracy—it’s the systems Americans rely on every day:
- Food safety inspections
- Social Security and benefits processing
- Disaster response and public health
- Infrastructure, environmental protection, and more
“These are people who care deeply about the trust the American people put in them,” Shriver says.
Pull Quotes
- “Federal workers care deeply about the trust the American people put in them.”
- “We need to connect the work of government to the results people actually feel.”
- “A merit-based civil service is the crown jewel of our democracy.”
- “When systems break down, people don’t get the services they depend on.”
- “Government should deliver results that matter to the American people—everything else aligns to that.”
At Democracy Forward, Shriver leads efforts to defend the rule of law and support civil servants through initiatives like “Civil Service Strong” and the ambitious “Democracy Works 250” project—aimed at reimagining government for the next generation.
The conversation goes beyond policy into something more fundamental: trust.
For more than a century, the U.S. has relied on a merit-based civil service system—hiring experts based on skill, not politics. Shriver argues that system is now under pressure, and the consequences could ripple across every aspect of American life.
But there is also a path forward.
Shriver believes the solution starts with reconnecting people to the value of government—making visible the quiet, daily work that keeps society functioning.
“We haven’t done a good enough job telling that story,” he says.
At its core, this episode is about something simple but essential:
The people behind government matter.
And when they succeed, so does the country.
The full episode is available at GoodGovernmentShow.com and on all major podcast platforms.
About The Good Government Show
The Good Government Show is a national podcast highlighting leaders and real-world examples of government working effectively. Through nonpartisan conversations, the show explores how good governance improves lives and strengthens communities.