Summary of Federal Workforce Reductions Under President Trump
President Trump aims to reduce the size, scope, and cost of the federal government, aligning it more closely with its constitutional duties. The goal is to transfer responsibilities back to state and local governments where appropriate.
• As of March 31, 2025, there are 2,289,472 civilian federal employees, a decrease of over 23,000 (1% reduction) since the beginning of FY-2025.
• Nearly 30,000 employees received reduction-in-force notices that were previously delayed due to court cases. Most federal civilian staff were offered the option of a deferred resignation, allowing them to remain employed until September 25, 2025.
• Approximately 77,000 (3.3%) federal employees initially accepted deferred resignations, with a recent rise to hundreds of thousands (4.3%).
• Employees eligible for immediate retirement can leave and receive benefits now or postpone retirement for future payments. Others may resign and earn deferred benefits after meeting age requirements, with some agencies offering incentives for early retirement.
• Since a federal hiring freeze, the monthly hiring rate has significantly dropped, easing the pressure on the federal budget.
• Certain agencies and programs, such as USAID and various DEI initiatives, have been eliminated, resulting in job losses and canceled grants.
• A recent letter from OPM Director Russell Vought outlines the differences in budget priorities between FY-2025 and President Trump’s proposed FY-2026 budget, which significantly shifts funding towards national security while reducing discretionary spending.
• Employees can review staffing changes in the extensive budget proposal, such as the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, which plans to cut staff by 21%.
Federal employees are encouraged to review the proposed budget and the implications for their positions. To further reduce the workforce, the administration could implement measures like prioritizing lateral hiring, extending voluntary early retirements, and offering more resignation options with benefits. These actions would give employees a chance to transition smoothly as federal staffing continues to decrease.
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