Federal Workers Profiled on Watchlist Face Unemployment
Two-thirds of federal employees featured on the list remain out of work as federal workforce demographics shift.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Employment
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In early 2025, the American Accountability Foundation published a list profiling 93 federal employees involved in diversity work, impacting their subsequent employment prospects. Two-thirds of those listed remain unemployed, as federal Black worker populations saw a 30 percent decline by the end of that year.
Why it matters
The publication of these personal details and employment histories has had measurable effects on the career stability and hiring outcomes of the profiled federal workers. This trend contributes to broader shifts in federal demographics, where Black worker counts dropped significantly faster than non-Black worker numbers by year-end 2025.
By the end of 2025, the number of Black federal workers fell by 30 percent compared to a 4 percent decline for other employees. Currently, two-thirds of the 93 profiled individuals remain unemployed, including those like Dia Harris, who filed over 560 job applications since his termination.
The players
American Accountability Foundation
An advocacy group that tracks and profiles federal employees involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Dia Harris
A former federal employee who was fired in 2025 and has since submitted over 560 job applications.
Heritage Foundation
A policy think tank with ties to the American Accountability Foundation.
The details
The American Accountability Foundation published the names, photos, salaries, and employment histories of federal workers to highlight those advancing diversity agendas. This public identification resulted in some workers receiving unsolicited deliveries at their homes. Consequently, affected individuals faced significant hurdles in securing new employment, often moving from federal roles to lower-wage positions.
Timeline
The American Accountability Foundation published the DEI Watchlist in early 2025.
Dia Harris was fired from his government role in 2025.
The federal Black worker population declined by 30 percent by the end of 2025.
Money Landscape
The emergence of these public lists marks a departure from the historical privacy expectations of the federal Civil Service merit system protections. This environment has created unprecedented hurdles for those transitioning out of federal roles, diverging from standard career mobility.
For federal employees navigating these shifts, tracking employment changes and career security is essential. Those facing sudden career transitions may need to review their personal budget and emergency savings to account for extended periods of unemployment while seeking new opportunities.
The takeaway
The documentation of these employment shifts highlights the personal and financial volatility that can follow professional public profiling. It is a prudent step to review your own employment records and professional privacy settings to ensure your data remains protected during career transitions.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the federal workforce, visit Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Raw Story.
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