Address to the United States Government “Rewarding the Hardest Workers in America”

Address to the United States Government “Rewarding the Hardest Workers in America”

Address to the United States Government
“Rewarding the Hardest Workers in America”

Members of Congress, Cabinet Secretaries, agency leaders, and the dedicated public servants who keep this nation moving,

We gather today at a moment when Americans are demanding something simple, something honest, and something long overdue: a government that rewards effort, recognizes excellence, and reflects the values of the people it serves.

Across this nation, Americans wake up before dawn, lace up their boots, and give everything they have to their jobs, their communities, and their families. They do not ask for praise. They do not seek special treatment. They simply expect that hard work will be honored — not ignored.

And yet, for too long, our compensation systems have drifted away from that principle. We have allowed structures to form where time served outweighs effort given, where routine is rewarded the same as excellence, and where the highest performers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who contribute far less.

That is not fairness.
That is not accountability.
And that is not the American way.

Today, I am calling for a shift — a shift toward merit-based pay raises that honor the men and women who go above and beyond, who innovate, who solve problems, who carry the mission forward when others step back.

Let me be clear:
This is not about dividing workers.
This is about recognizing the truth — that not all contributions are equal, and they should not be compensated as if they are.

In every agency, in every department, in every corner of government, there are individuals who consistently deliver more than what is asked. They take on the toughest assignments. They mentor others. They find efficiencies. They save taxpayer dollars. They strengthen the institutions that safeguard our freedom and our future.

These are the people who deserve to rise.
These are the people who deserve to be rewarded.
These are the people who keep America strong.

A merit-based pay system does not diminish anyone.
It elevates excellence.

It tells every worker:
If you give more, you will earn more.
If you push harder, you will go farther.
If you commit yourself to the mission, your nation will commit itself to you.

This is how we build a culture of performance.
This is how we attract the best talent.
This is how we ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested wisely and responsibly.

And let me say this directly:
Rewarding excellence is not just good policy — it is a moral obligation.
Because when we fail to recognize the hardest workers, we send a message that effort does not matter. And when effort does not matter, excellence disappears.

We cannot afford that.
Not now.
Not ever.

America’s strength has always come from those who give more than what is required. From the factory floor to the front lines, from the laboratories to the launchpads, from the classrooms to the command centers — our nation has always been lifted by the people who refuse to settle for average.

Government must reflect that same spirit.

So today, I call on every leader in this room to join me in building a compensation system rooted in fairness, accountability, and measurable performance. A system that rewards the hardest workers. A system that inspires excellence. A system that honors the American tradition of earning your way through dedication and grit.

Let us build a government worthy of the people it serves.
Let us reward those who carry the mission forward.
And let us reaffirm a timeless truth:
In America, hard work must always be recognized — and always be rewarded.

Thank you, and may God bless the United States of America.