In most branches and divisions of the federal government, the use of unpaid interns has run rampant. Congress and the President have been able to circumvent their own laws to allow this to happen.
We also live in a society where many young people are in grave need of job experience leading to a career to eventually pay off student loans, start a family, buy a home, etc.
Instead, internships only provide a way for privileged individuals (or their parents) with the ability to provide for themselves a leg up on their peers. Without compensation many cannot afford to live in Washington.
Internships in the federal government need to be reformed from the current system, which is inherently unfair, detrimental to young people's short term financial stability and practically violates labor law.