Doxxing public servants puts them, and democracy, at risk, says president of SEA

SEA President Marcus Hill.

FWM Current Events — This article analyzes and details on an interview with SEA President Marcus Hill.

Doxxing, the act of publishing personal information with intent to harm, has become a growing concern for public officials across the United States. The Senior Executives Association (SEA) recently issued a statement addressing this issue, prompted by incidents affecting its members and other public servants. In an interview, SEA President Marcus Hill discussed the reasons behind the statement, the widespread nature of doxxing, its impact on public officials, and steps to address it.

Marcus Hill explained that the SEA issued its statement following concerns raised by members during the transition to a new administration. “A couple of our members contacted the association and shared their concerns in terms of being on a DHS watch list,” Hill said. “We actually saw their images and certain statements that were associated with their profiles.” The SEA reached out to an agency’s Human Capital Office to request resources to help employees mitigate the effects of doxxing. Additionally, Hill noted a recent case where an agency head was forced to relocate their residence due to doxxing. “We just thought it was important to share a statement on doxxing, that it shouldn’t be condoned, no matter the party, no matter if you’re a political or a career public servant,” he said.

Doxxing is not limited to one agency but is a widespread issue affecting public servants across various sectors. “We’re seeing that it’s very widespread,” Hill stated, pointing to the targeting of law enforcement officials as a notable example. Having previously worked for a law enforcement agency, Hill emphasized the severity of doxxing, particularly when it impacts public servants’ families. “It starts really crossing the line when doxxing results in negative impacts on those public servants’ families,” he said. Hill also shared a personal perspective, noting that when he ran for local public office, his wife expressed concerns about potential backlash due to the current “tenuous environment.”

When asked whether career officials are targeted differently than political appointees, Hill responded, “I think it’s across the board.” He suggested that doxxing is often driven by political ideology, citing examples of public servants facing threats, bodily harm, or even death due to doxxing and related actions like swatting. Hill referenced a Minnesota state legislator and her husband, whose personal information was made public, leading to harmful reactions from those who disagreed with their political stance.

The interview also addressed the trend of law enforcement and ICE agents covering their faces to avoid identification in photos, which could be linked to personal information. Hill acknowledged the complexity of this issue, stating, “I can see both sides as it related to that issue.” He emphasized the need for agents to take precautions to carry out their duties safely while maintaining government transparency. “I think that it would behoove both parties and both sides of the issue to kind of come together,” Hill said, quoting Stephen Covey’s principle of seeking to understand before being understood. He stressed the importance of improved communication to bridge the gap between differing perspectives.

Hill outlined steps public officials can take to protect themselves from doxxing. “Be careful in terms of what you’re posting on social media,” he advised, drawing from his experience as a parent and grandparent. He recommended understanding and adjusting privacy and security settings on social media platforms to limit the exposure of personal information. “A snippet of information, look at me and my family in this location, may prompt someone to visit your home while you’re not there,” Hill warned. He also suggested being cautious with personal identifiable information and ensuring companies do not share it without consent.

For those who have been doxxed, Hill advised immediate action. “I would first and foremost recommend that they document the incident and seek either legal advice or, based on the severity of it, maybe contact their local law enforcement agency,” he said. He urged victims not to delay in addressing the issue, depending on the severity of the incident.

The SEA’s statement concluded that doxxing “has no place in a democratic society.” Hill elaborated on its broader implications, noting, “It has a chilling effect on public servants.” He highlighted that qualified individuals are increasingly opting out of public service due to fears of doxxing and swatting, depriving the public of capable leaders. “We’re seeing some current congressional members deciding not to run again based on their concerns regarding those threats,” Hill said. He emphasized the need for professional disagreements and open dialogue to strengthen democracy, stating, “We should be able to have disagreements, professional disagreements. We should be able listen to one another.”