Indiana Republican Senator Jim Banks was criticized after calling a former Health and Human Services (HHS) employee—who had lost his job amid the Trump administration's ongoing effort to gut the federal government—a "clown" who "probably deserved it."
Mass layoffs began Tuesday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking the first phase of a plan to cut 10,000 jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The department, which oversees public health, food and drug safety, and Medicare and Medicaid, is also shutting down internal agencies dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities. Offices focused on HIV initiatives and minority health improvements are also being eliminated.
Employees were required to present their badges upon entering the building. Those affected by the layoffs were handed a ticket and instructed to return home.
The brief exchange between Banks and the worker, identified as Mack Schroeder, was captured on video and widely circulated by multiple outlets. In the footage, Schroeder—who remained off-camera—followed Banks while questioning him as the senator was escorted to an elevator.
Schroeder said:
“Hi, I was a worker at HHS. I was fired illegally on February 14. There are many people who are not getting social service programs, especially people with disabilities. Are you gonna do anything to stop what’s happening?”
Banks replied:
"You probably deserved it."
Schroeder and a woman nearby appeared startled by Banks' response, both audibly reacting with surprise, and he said:
"I deserved it?"
Banks repeated his sentence and when Schroeder asked why he "deserved it," Banks smiled as the elevators closed and said:
"Because you seem like a clown.”
You can watch what happened in the video below.
Banks' remark made no secret of his contempt for the average worker—and he was swiftly condemned for it.
An unrepentant Banks later said through a representative that he "went to Washington to decrease the size and scope of the federal government" and asserted that "no one is entitled to a taxpayer-funded job, especially in positions that waste those funds."
After an X user called him out for his exchange with Schroeder, Banks responded, "Hard truth!"—and it couldn't be clearer how little he cares.
Your days in office are numbered, Senator.
