Washington: The US Agriculture Department is taking steps to dismiss a Food and Nutrition Service employee after she publicly warned about the potential impact of the government shutdown on federal food assistance programs. This information comes from documents reviewed by The Washington Post.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ellen Mei, a program specialist and president of the National Treasury Employees Union's Chapter 255, appeared on MSNBC on October 2 to discuss the shutdown's effect on her team. The agency is now pursuing her removal over that interview. Mei was placed on administrative leave while others returned to work. During her four-minute appearance on MSNBC, Mei expressed concerns about staff being 'anxious' over potential office closures. She also cautioned that while SNAP funding was likely secure for October, the situation could become problematic if the shutdown extended into November.

The following day, the USDA notified Mei that removal proceedings had begun. Documents reviewed by The Washington Post reveal that a human resources official informed her she would be dismissed 30 days after the shutdown ends, citing her discussion of agency programs and funding 'without prior approval.' The USDA maintains that furloughed employees cannot speak on behalf of the department or perform official duties while off duty.

During the MSNBC segment, host Chris Jansing clarified that Mei spoke in her personal and union capacity, not as a USDA employee. Mei, who is regularly quoted by the Boston Globe and GBH, has long been vocal in her union role, including a pre-shutdown call urging lawmakers not to increase health-care costs or weaken federal programs. She contends that the USDA is retaliating against her because her MSNBC appearance was her first on national TV. The agency, however, argues that even off duty, her comments 'directly relate' to programs she works on. Mei told The Post that federal labor law protects her right to speak in a personal or union capacity.

Mei has 20 days after the government's reopening to challenge her dismissal and plans to join other unionized federal workers at a Friday news conference in Boston to protest the USDA's action. Chris Dols of the Federal Unionists Network stated that the case exemplifies how the administration 'will stop at nothing' to undermine workers' rights and public services. Federal employment lawyer Debra D'Agostino noted that Mei likely has a strong case, emphasizing that her remarks are almost certainly protected under the First Amendment and the Whistleblower Protection Act.