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NASA has advised its employees to exercise discretion when displaying their affiliation with the space agency in public, following reports of possible harassment directed at federal workers.
The warning, issued in an internal email by Dr. James Polk, the agency’s chief health and medical officer, reflects growing concerns over hostility toward government employees amid intensified rhetoric from the Trump administration.
“We are all very proud to work for the space program,” Polk wrote. “But in the current environment, with a lot of negative rhetoric coming in our direction, I want you all to please use caution.”
The message, which surfaced among NASA staff last week, came after reports that an employee was confronted at a Starbucks for being a federal worker. The individual, identified by their badge and agency logo while working on a laptop, was allegedly approached in a manner concerning enough to prompt NASA leadership to remind staff of their safety.
Federal workforce under pressure
The guidance comes as Donald Trump and his administration escalate criticism of the federal workforce. Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly accused government employees of inefficiency.
“We’re bloated. We’re sloppy. We have a lot of people that aren’t doing their job,” he said during a Cabinet meeting in February.
NASA has not faced the sweeping layoffs seen in other agencies but has experienced workforce reductions through a voluntary buyout plan.
Meanwhile, broader federal job cuts remain a key priority for the administration, with Elon Musk leading efforts to scrutinize federal productivity.
NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner clarified that while the agency had received reports of potential harassment, no confirmed cases of assault had been recorded.
“Our managers are hearing information thirdhand and using this as an opportunity to remind our teams to be mindful of their surroundings and to report any incidences to the Office of Protective Services,” she said.
Calls for vigilance amid political hostility
Beyond direct confrontations, political leaders have increasingly targeted federal workers. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene recently stated during a congressional hearing that “federal employees do not deserve their jobs” or their salaries.
Additionally, a Trump administration memo advocating deep government cuts declared that Americans had “registered their verdict on the bloated, corrupt federal bureaucracy” with the 2024 election.
In his message, Polk urged NASA employees to remain cautious in public spaces. “Be aware of your surroundings and keep good situational awareness and operational security,” he wrote.
“Use caution when on the phone in public places, and ensure you are aware of those around you.”
As federal employees navigate an increasingly charged political climate, and much finger-pointing from members of the Trump administration, HR leaders find themselves in the unprecedented situation of having to closely monitor the impact of Government rhetoric on public sentiment, workforce morale and employee safety.
