Government employment
Why do government agencies spend so much money on polygraph tests if they aren't primarily used for prosecuting criminals?
Government agencies like the FBI, CIA, DOD, and other law enforcement entities spend over $50 million annually on polygraph tests primarily for internal vetting purposes rather than criminal prosecution. These tests are administered to potential employees as part of the hiring process. For instance, the FBI requires every job candidate to undergo a polygraph examination. Collectively, the FBI, CIA, and DEA process over 70,000 polygraph results from job applicants. This extensive use demonstrates that polygraphs are predominantly employed as screening tools for ensuring personnel reliability within sensitive government positions.
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Law By Mike
01:01 - 01:49
What rationale is the Trump administration using to dismiss federal employees at the FAA?
The Trump administration is frequently using misconduct or poor performance as the rationale to dismiss federal employees, particularly those on probationary status. According to employment lawyers, this is essentially the only legal way to let go of new federal government employees, as they cannot simply be terminated without cause. Many affected workers are reportedly being given these reasons erroneously. The administration cannot simply declare they no longer need an employee; they must cite performance issues or misconduct to justify terminations. This approach has created frustration among workers who believe they are being unfairly dismissed under false pretenses.
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CBS News
05:15 - 05:41
What happened to Monica after she started working at the FAA?
Monica was hired as an aviation safety assistant at Dallas Fort Worth Airport approximately two and a half months before the interview. She worked in flight safety, filing reports and inspections on the American Airlines fleet. Despite the important nature of her work, Monica was unexpectedly let go during government cuts implemented by the Trump administration. She had mistakenly believed that due to the nature of her job in aviation safety, she and her colleagues would be protected from the cuts. However, this assumption proved incorrect, highlighting the vulnerability of new employees in federal agencies during periods of organizational restructuring.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)CBS News
04:11 - 04:38
Why is the Trump administration using poor performance as a rationale for FAA job cuts?
According to employment lawyers, the Trump administration frequently uses poor performance as a rationale for dismissals because it's one of the only legal ways to let go of federal employees, particularly those on probationary status. Federal employment rules restrict dismissals to cases involving misconduct or poor performance. New federal employees on probation are especially vulnerable since agencies cannot simply eliminate positions by claiming they're no longer needed. Many workers are reportedly being erroneously labeled as poor performers to facilitate their removal. This strategy allows the administration to cut personnel while navigating the strict protections afforded to federal workers.
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CBS News
05:15 - 05:41
How many FAA employees have been affected by the Trump administration's cuts and what does the administration say about safety concerns?
According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, fewer than 400 employees out of the FAA's 45,000 total workforce have been cut as part of the Trump administration's government downsizing effort. Duffy insisted that none of these cuts affect aviation safety or security operations. However, there has been limited transparency from the administration about the full scope of these cuts, with information primarily coming from inside sources and unions representing the affected workers.
Watch clip answer (01:09m)CBS News
03:01 - 04:11
How are Virginia residents reacting to federal government cutbacks implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)?
Virginia residents have strong but divided opinions about Doge's federal cutbacks, with reactions ranging from fear to applause. The reporter spoke with more than a dozen people in Ashburn, Virginia, a community located about 40 minutes outside DC that's heavily dependent on federal employment. Many residents work directly for the government, are federal contractors, or run businesses supporting federal operations. One woman named Carol expressed concern about her husband's job at a company reliant on USAID contracts, highlighting the personal impact these cuts have on local families.
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CBS News
00:39 - 01:39