I'm a U.S. federal worker who was recently fired as a part of the new presidential administration's "efficiency" initiative. I can't say I'm not devastated about it -- my work was interesting and fulfilling, the pay was good, and my coworkers were genuinely fun to be around. I started applying to job postings and graduate schools, and had the following happen:

1. Received an offer from a well-regarded graduate program (4% acceptance rate! Never thought it would happen!) earlier this month, with the caveat that, due to recent federal funding cuts, the usual scholarship that would accompany this offer was no longer available. Declined the offer because I don't have the money to self-fund my degree.
2. Received an offer for a full-time position doing the same work I've been doing at the federal level, but at a state government department. Accepted the offer in late March and set a May start date, only to be told today that the state's instituted a federal program hiring freeze and is withdrawing the offer. Joke's on me - I already signed a lease near the state office and put down a deposit for movers.

So to say I hate this administration would be an understatement. And my dad voted for it! After I told him about Project 2025 and the mass firing of federal workers! I haven't spoken to him since January, but my mom's been updating him on what's been happening to me. He's piped in on calls trying to say hi. I'm polite and say hi back, but I'm not going to act like I did before. I'm too angry at him. I don't want to say something I'll regret later.

But now he's asking my mom if I'm mad at him, and I think it's hit him that I'm not just throwing a tantrum. My mom called me crying today and said that when she confirmed I'm still mad at him, he started crying. He NEVER cries, I didn't even see it when his mom died or my sister was diagnosed with cancer.

I feel so so guilty, but I'm also furious. He didn't listen, and he still hasn't learned anything. He regrets that I'm fired and am not talking to him, but he doesn't think any of the initiatives are inherently a bad idea. I think if I forgave him right now, he'd forget everything and go vote for him again in 2028.

I'm tired of giving people a pass because they didn't think the bad thing I said would happen, happened. But I'm tearing up right now thinking of him crying. I feel horrible. AITAH?