Service to America Medals Ceremony Highlights Federal Workforce Challenges Amidst Political Changes
The 2026 Service to America Medals, known as the Sammies, took place at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., marking its 25th year of recognizing federal employee excellence. This year's ceremony was notably different, reflecting the turbulence within the federal workforce following the Trump administration's policies. The event, traditionally a celebration of non-partisan civil service, saw a reduced attendance of current federal employees and focused on themes of safety, strength, health, and prosperity. Notably absent were Trump administration officials, with the ceremony relying on past winners and former officials to honor the contributions of federal employees. The awards highlighted achievements in areas such as DNA research in agriculture, cybersecurity, air pollution monitoring, and tax recovery.