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Comment by hn_throwaway_99 | Hacker News Reader

> “You’re almost going to have a mutiny of a federal agency, which is unheard of.”

It's not really "unheard of". Air traffic controllers, employed by the FAA, famously went on strike in the early 80s and were subsequently all fired by the Reagan administration.

In this case, honestly I'd be like "fine, go ahead and try insubordination, and then get fired." As this article makes exceedingly clear, it will be much easier to continue air travel without air marshals than without air traffic controllers, and the US govt still managed that situation pretty decently.

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I thinks that’s the key though - the argument is that the program should be shutdown, not that they should all be put on border patrol duty… assigning them to a random alternative post is going to make recruiting good new folks really hard.

I mean, it's a win-win for all then? I could certainly understand that, if I were hired to be an air marshal, and then re-assigned to border patrol duties, I'd be like "Peace out, this isn't what I signed up for."

But I'm assuming at least some percentage would be OK with it, and the ones who aren't would have to find new jobs. Very similar to when companies downsize one department, but try to find jobs for existing employees by giving them jobs in other departments. Some will take it, some will reject it, but it's a pretty fair outcome for all.

My reading is a mutiny of armed federal employees is the unheard of part.

Be like all the FBI agents refusing to suppress minority groups or something.

> Be like all the FBI agents refusing to prosecute minority groups or something.

FTFY.

The FBI is a political organization and chooses who they will persecute based on the political leanings of FBI leadership.

> The FBI is a political organization and chooses who they will persecute based on the political leanings of FBI leadership.

That's seems like quite a broad generalization.

Here are there press releases with regards to developments towards cases: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/press-releases

Crimes that involve politics will always have some individuals stating they did things for political reasons, but without examples or more context to what you are referring to, that statement seems particularly broad stating that FBI is a political organization.

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