You're not seriously making the case that the government was hiring strictly based on merit are you?
I'm more interested in the original claim that there were no (zero, nada, < epsilon) conservatives at 18F.
Particularly if the tent is broadened to include traditional pre-Trumpian conservatives.
What percentage should there be?
Zero, as claimed, seems unlikely.
"Should" seems prescriptive.
Within a standard deviation of the mean general distribution for the US Federal service would be probable by the Central Limit Theorem.
Why bound it to the US Federal service?
I love how it's "We KNOW diversity makes us stronger" kinda stuff right up till it's all people you agree with then we don't need diversity any more and it's all merit.
I've known this was true forever but it's interesting seeing it said out loud now.
The best of the best that actually want to take part in making effective change for the better within goverment services will tend to have a progressive outlook.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18F