I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Isabella Isaksen. I am a Team USA Olympian, a US Army veteran, and, until recently, a public affairs officer for the Ochoco National Forest in Oregon.


I have dedicated my life to serving this country and what we stand for:
Liberty & Justice. That’s the country I signed up to represent as an Olympic athlete, to protect as a soldier, and serve as a U.S. Forest Service officer.

 I was a permanent, full time employee. I served as the sole public affairs officer for the Ochoco National Forest, and was a member of the forest leadership team. My primary duty was to serve as a liaison between the Forest; I was responsible for providing the people with clear, truthful, timely, and fully transparent information regardless of the optics for the agency. My duty was to the public. During fire season I was one of now two public information officers responsible for providing updates (any and all fire information for initial attacks on public land) to all of Central Oregon.

Like thousands of other federal workers, I was recently fired from my position due to an alleged failure to perform and a determination that my continued service was not in the public’s interest. Interestingly enough I had never received a poor performance review, and though I can’t speak for all those illegally fired, this seems to be a common thread in their testimonies.

From May to October of 2024, I worked all but two days during one of the nation’s most intense fire seasons, I sacrificed sleep, personal time, and holidays to ensure the public had timely, accurate, and life-saving information.

I poured everything I had into my job because I knew what was at stake: lives, homes, and the future of the places we love.

But my story is not unique. Nationwide, thousands of federal workers who were illegally fired make the same sacrifices to get the job done.

We have given our all. I have given my all, time and time again for my country.

Where is the justice in what is happening to civil servants nationwide?

For those wondering what this loss really means, let me explain:

The people who lost their jobs weren’t bureaucrats behind desks. They were the scientists studying extreme weather to keep your communities safe. The inspectors ensuring the safety of your food and water. The caseworkers helping veterans access the care they earned. The firefighters, researchers, and public health experts working behind the scenes to protect you and your family.

These weren’t just jobs lost—they were safeguards for our country, quietly working every day to make your life safer, healthier, and more secure.

We were here for you. And now, we need you to be here for us.

Now is the time for all Americans-across every state and political party-to speak up for the kind of the country we want to be, the country I signed up to protect and serve, where we work toward liberty and justice for all.

Aren’t these just lay offs?

One of the most common misconceptions I’ve seen is the comparison between the recent firings and past layoffs, or a reduction in force (RIF). I want to be absolutely clear: these were not layoffs; they were firings. Along with me, thousands of federal service employees received the same email stating that our performance had been deemed insufficient and that our continued service was no longer in the public’s interest. I have never received a poor performance review. I’ve always met or exceeded expectations and this is true of the vast majority of the civil servants who were fired. Because these terminations were unjust and in direct violation of current law rather than part of a RIF, we do not qualify for severance or unemployment. To be clear, no fired employee is receiving payment from the federal government.

Update on 3-19-25

The Merit Systems Protection Board issued a 45-day stay on USDA’s termination of probationary employees. As a result, myself and others have been placed on paid administrative leave with back pay. However, I’ve been informed that the agency does not plan to reinstate us and intends to fire us again.

I am proud of our legal system for upholding what is just, but let us not get distracted.

I am speaking now, knowing that I risk future employment in the job I love, because this is not about me or my job. This is about what is right and wrong. We cannot speak up only when we feel injustice personally. We must speak out for each other.

We, the American people, deserve answers.  —Isabella Isaksen