US EditionUS government workforce shrunk by 12% since September 2024
The U.S. civilian federal workforce fell 12% from 2024 to 2026, driven by voluntary exits and some layoffs amid a government efficiency initiative led by the Trump administration.
- On Wednesday, government data showed the U.S. civilian workforce shrank 1% between September 2024 and January 2026, linked to Trump-era efficiency efforts.
- Following a pledge to shrink agencies, the administration formalized cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk until May 2025.
- Most departures clustered among administrative, customer service, and IT roles, with the Office of Personnel Management data showing agencies like the Treasury Department down 24% and HHS down 20%.
- Judicial rulings could force rehirings, including staff fired during the 2025 government shutdown, as officials warn headcounts may still change.
- It remains unclear whether the cuts will improve efficiency, and officials warn federal workforce totals through January 2026 could change as judges reviewing lawsuits consider reversals.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Numbers show how much Trump has slashed government workforce
President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to reduce the federal government's workforce were seemingly reflected in recently released data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).The OPM's data shows that the government's civilian workforce shrank by 12% between September 2024 and January 2026, going from a headcount of 2,313,216 to 2,035,344.Separate data, also released by the OPM, shows that …
Federal Workforce Shrank by 12 Percent in Trump’s First Year Back in Office
The U.S. government’s civilian workforce shrank by about 12 percent over the first year of the second Trump administration, the latest federal data show. Figures updated on March 4 by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicate that as of Jan. 20, 2026, the federal civilian headcount stood at 2,035,344—a net decrease of 264,228 employees compared with the level on Jan. 20, 2025, right before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Th…
US government workforce shrinks by 12% since September 2024
The U.S. government's civilian workforce shrank by 12% between September 2024 and January 2026, according to government data published on Wednesday, reflecting President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to cut government jobs.
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