A shocking claim has emerged from Tom Cullerton, a disabled veteran and seasoned federal employee, who alleges political persecution, retaliation, and discrimination within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Speaking exclusively to The Gateway Pundit, Cullerton detailed a troubling pattern of Hatch Act violations, partisan rhetoric, and a hostile work environment.
Cullerton first reported illegal hiring practices, discrimination, and a toxic culture driven by political activism. He claims that supervisors have regularly distributed “partisan content” and exhibited open hostility toward the incoming Trump administration. One example includes a manager who shared an article about President James Garfield’s 1881 assassination, framing it as a positive event that led to civil service reforms. Cullerton interpreted this as a call for resistance against the new administration, noting the manager’s history of anti-Trump sentiments.
Cullerton alleges his confidential complaints were leaked to his superiors, leading to workplace retaliation. After exposing violations, he says he was unlawfully removed from his position, transferred to a no-work environment for a year, and faced discrimination despite a settlement agreement that was supposed to correct these actions.
His concerns intensified after the recent election when a federal official delivered a speech referencing the Garfield assassination, suggesting civil service workers are not obligated to follow political mandates. Cullerton documented the incident, filing a Hatch Act violation report.
The timing is particularly alarming given that Cullerton’s high school classmate, Ryan Routh, was recently arrested for attempting to assassinate President-elect Trump. Cullerton warned that such rhetoric can have fatal consequences, harming workplace safety and public trust.
Cullerton’s allegations point to a systemic problem within federal agencies, where partisan activism allegedly overrides nonpartisan responsibilities. He contends that networks of politically aligned officials fast-track their peers while sidelining veterans, religious individuals, and those with differing political views.
“More protections are needed in federal agencies from partisan influence,” Cullerton stated, emphasizing that federal employees who report violations face retaliation rather than protection. His experience underscores the need for stronger safeguards to ensure nonpartisan conduct within government agencies and to restore public trust in federal institutions.
