DNC Lays Off Hundreds Of Employees In ‘Betrayal’ After Trump Win
The Democratic Party is reeling from the aftermath of Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic loss to now-President-elect Donald Trump, as fallout from the election continues to mount.
In the wake of the November 5 defeat, where Harris’ campaign and the Democratic Party spent over $1 billion but failed to secure victory, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) laid off hundreds of staff members. According to a report by Mother Jones, these layoffs have prompted backlash within the party and raised questions about its financial and organizational priorities.
The union representing DNC employees has responded by launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 to support affected workers. The layoffs reportedly impacted two-thirds of the DNC staff, many of whom were let go without notice or severance pay. This abrupt action has sparked outrage, with remaining employees describing the decision as a “betrayal” of the party’s core values.
Jill Brownfield, a DNC staff union organizer, expressed her frustration on the fundraising page. “We are heartbroken to see our colleagues—who dedicated countless hours to electing Democrats—depart under these circumstances,” she wrote. “We are furious with DNC leadership for failing to provide severance to those affected.”
A DNC spokesperson defended the decision, emphasizing that the layoffs adhered to the terms of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). “While the DNC has met the terms of the union agreement negotiated by the CBA, we share the entire DNC family’s frustration and continue to provide resources to support them during this transition,” the spokesperson said.
Despite this defense, the DNC union criticized the leadership’s approach, calling it “callous” and “short-sighted.” The union stated that the layoffs included employees who had previously been assured their positions were secure after Election Day. Funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will provide direct financial relief to affected staff, including single parents and those expecting children.
The layoffs have amplified internal tensions within the Democratic Party. Political strategist James Carville highlighted the damage caused by excessive spending during Harris’ campaign, which reportedly cost nearly $1.5 billion in just a few months. Speaking on Politics War Room, Carville predicted significant fundraising challenges ahead and called for a thorough audit of campaign expenditures to restore accountability.
“The resistance is going to have trouble raising money,” Carville warned. “The damage that the 2024 campaign has done to the Democratic brand is almost unfathomable. Fundraisers are burnt out, and trust in party leadership is deeply shaken.”
Amid these challenges, the union is urging Democratic leadership to reconsider its approach, calling for severance packages for laid-off employees and more transparent communication about the path forward for those who remain.