FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration released data on Tuesday showing that it has slashed the federal government workforce, while promising there is more to come as Trump continues his push to rid the government of inefficiencies. The data, released by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), reveals that the federal workforce has been reduced by more than 23,000 positions since last year, with significant cuts expected to continue throughout the year.
The OPM reported that as of March 31, 2024, there are 2,289,472 federal workers, a decrease from 2,313,216 as of September 30, 2024. This reduction is attributed to the administration’s early efforts to streamline government operations and cut out what it considers unnecessary bureaucratic layers. Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell highlighted the administration’s goal of creating a ‘disciplined, accountable federal workforce’ as a key part of its strategy for improved government efficiency.
Trump signed an executive order in February instructing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to implement significant cuts in federal government staffing, which is now reflected in the new data. According to OPM, agencies averaged 23,000 new monthly hires from April 2024 to January 2025, but once the freeze was fully implemented, the hiring rate dropped dramatically to 7,385 per month. The agency stated that these cuts have saved taxpayers ‘billions.’
Looking ahead, OPM expects hundreds of thousands more workers to leave the rolls by October 2025 through the Deferred Resignation Program, aimed at reducing the workforce. However, tens of thousands of employees who are in the process of being terminated remain on the government payroll due to court orders that are currently being challenged by the administration. These legal challenges have been a significant point of contention, as Trump has faced resistance from Democrats and various courts, with critics expressing concerns that critical positions are being cut.
Trump has publicly criticized the judicial system for blocking his efforts to fire federal workers, calling it ‘a very dangerous thing for our country.’ The administration is likely to seek a decision from the Supreme Court on the matter. Additionally, OPM has introduced a new rule to make it easier to terminate federal employees for serious misconduct by reducing the administrative burden involved in such cases.
Despite the administration’s claims of efficiency, the federal workforce cuts have stirred debate over the balance between reducing government size and maintaining essential public services. As the cuts continue, the long-term impact on government operations, taxpayer savings, and the availability of critical public services remains a topic of national discussion.