Michael Duffin served as a senior policy advisor at the State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism for 12 years. When he received an invite for a 15-minute meeting titled "Update on the Reorganization," he never suspected it would mark an early end to his career. Michael helped stand up the Office of Countering Violent Extremism (CT/CVE), which led the Department's international engagement and assistance efforts to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting, or inspiring acts of violence. His layoff was part of a wider 'Reduction-in-Force' that impacted 1,107 State Department employees.

Since leaving federal service, Michael has taken up the fight for former feds by running for Congress in Virginia's 8th District. Michael is dedicating his campaign to public service and vowing to prioritize the reinstatement of all feds. He also pledged not to accept corporate donations or trade stocks while in office. As a result, Michael faces a huge battle on the campaign trail, but he remains committed to memorializing this moment in time and spreading the message that feds matter, and they're worth fighting for.

Highlights & Topics:

• The 15-Minute Meeting: Hear Michael’s firsthand account of the shock of the reorganization, the "blacklisting" barriers for reentry, and the brain drain at the State Department.
• Dangerously Unprepared: How the loss of vital CVE programming and decades of experienced leadership leaves the U.S. vulnerable ahead of the 2026 World Cup and America 250 celebrations.
• The Trust Gap: Why a lack of trust between communities and the federal government severely compromises counterterrorism efforts, and what individuals should do if they see something suspicious at large gatherings.
• Memorializing the Moment: Why Michael walked out with a "Diplomacy Matters, Feds Matter" sign, his experience taking his story to The Daily Show, and what he hopes his children learn from his fight.

Additional Resources:

• Duffin4VA: Visit Michael's campaign site to learn more about his platform and follow his journey.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988.

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The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals providing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the FBI, the DOJ, the State Department, the United States, or any past or current employers.