> government employees work for elected officials

This is not correct and we have recent examples to counter this claim:

1. There are government employees directly employed by various branches of the government (ex: USDS was under the executive allowing them to be retasked by EO into DOGE)

2. There are government employees appointed into office who cannot fired after appointment (ex: Fed Reserve Chair)

3. There are also government employees who are non-political appointments

I think there are also more categories. I don't think your reply was charitable.