Secret Service: Meet the Posters Behind Instagram’s Federal Agency Alt Accounts

The US government has always been a bastion of expertise and democracy. But in recent years, those pillars have come under attack. With President Donald Trump's return to power, federal agencies are being gutted, and scientists are struggling to conduct research. Enter the "alt" accounts – Instagram handles run by federal workers or alumni that aim to keep alive the ideas and accomplishments of their former agency.

One such account is @FriendsofUSAID. Founded by Rachel and Veronica, two USAID alums who felt compelled to act after seeing their former colleagues struggle with a massive budget cut. The two women gathered photos showcasing USAID's lifesaving accomplishments and posted them online, sparking a movement that would soon inspire others to join in.

Rachel recalls the early days of @FriendsofUSAID, when they shared drinks and "crazy stories" of wandering into deserted office buildings with no art on the walls. They felt compelled to do something, anything, to stop Elon Musk's DOGE from dismantling USAID. And so, they created a new Instagram handle – one that would become a beacon of hope for federal workers struggling to keep their agencies alive.

Over time, @FriendsofUSAID has grown into a powerful network of alternative accounts, run by federal workers or alumni, on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. From the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these accounts are pushing back against the erosion of public services and institutions.

"Democracies run on popular support and on expertise, both at the same time," says Princeton University sociologist Kim Lane Scheppele. "What these alt accounts seem to be doing is trying to keep alive the other pillar on which democracy relies."

The @FriendsofUSAID account has become a symbol of resistance against the Trump administration's attacks on federal agencies and scientists. And it's not alone – similar accounts have proliferated across many platforms, from the departments of Energy, State, and Transportation to AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But the effort is less lonely, even joyful. "I've never worked in a workplace that is this positive and inspiring," says Sam, an NIH researcher who launched @SaveHealthResearch. "Maybe just because of who they are as an agency, they're very generous, very thoughtful, very organized, and they've been giving everyone a lot of advice."

As for Rachel and Veronica, their journey has taken them from being USAID alums to leaders in the alt account movement. They pitch major foundations and donors, but most importantly, they find purpose and meaning in their work.

"I want to be able to tell my kids that I tried," says Veronica, her voice filled with emotion. "In 20, 30 years, when they ask me, 'Mom, what did you do when our democracy came under fire and rights were being taken away and agencies were being closed? What did you do?' And I want to be able to give them an answer that I'm proud of."

As the alt account movement continues to grow, one thing is clear: federal workers are not going quietly into the night. They're speaking out, sharing their stories, and fighting for what's right.