Apr 9, 2026
Violent threats against public servants aren’t isolated incidents anymore—they’re escalating nationwide, impacting federal, state, and local officials alike. In this episode of FedUpward. I sit down with Isabella Ulloa, founder of the Public Service Alliance, to unpack what the data is showing—and why it should concern everyone.
Drawing on her experience at the Department of Homeland Security, Ulloa explains how threats have surged over the past decade, increasingly targeting not just officials, but their families. The conversation explores the growing gap in protections for public servants and the real-world consequences: burnout, resignations, and a chilling effect on civic participation.
Ulloa also introduces the Public Service Alliance’s approach to solving the problem—from a first-of-its-kind marketplace offering vetted security and support resources, to advocacy efforts aimed at driving policy change and awareness. A standout initiative, the “security map,” uses aggregated data and storytelling to visualize the scale of the issue across all 50 states.
This episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap—highlighting how public servants can better protect themselves, and why addressing this issue is critical to the future of public service itself.
Learn more: https://thepublicservicealliance.com/
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The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas, and get better.
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