New data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management reveals that the federal workforce has declined by just 1% during the first few months of President Donald Trump’s second term. This decrease, which amounts to a reduction of over 23,000 positions, has sparked criticism from experts who argue the change is too modest to reflect meaningful progress in streamlining government operations. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by Trump in February, has been tasked with coordinating with federal agencies to implement significant cuts in staffing, yet the results so far have been seen as disappointingly limited.
OPM reports that as of March 31, the federal workforce totals 2,289,472 employees, a decline from 2,313,216 on September 30, 2024. While the agency attributes the decline to early efforts to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, experts suggest the pace of reduction remains sluggish. Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute, called the results a ‘disappointing effect of DOGE,’ emphasizing that the workforce shrinkage has not reached the scale necessary to significantly impact the federal structure. Nowrasteh noted that the numbers are expected to increase further by the end of the year as more early retirement packages and buyouts take effect.
Despite these efforts, analysts caution that federal bureaucracy remains deeply entrenched. Peter Morici, an economist and professor at the University of Maryland, criticized the limited progress, comparing DOGE’s impact to ‘pouring a few teacups of ice water into the ocean.’ Morici argued that significant cuts would require the removal of entire functions rather than simply eliminating positions, a process that has proven difficult due to the complexity of federal operations and the influence of local economies and political interests. He emphasized that cutting down the federal government is not a simple task, as it involves addressing issues that extend far beyond Washington, D.C.
OPM also indicated that the workforce reduction will continue, with hundreds of thousands more employees expected to depart by October 2025 through the Deferred Resignation Program. However, the agency acknowledged that tens of thousands of employees remain on the payroll due to court orders that are still under review. Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell described the current reduction as the ‘first measurable step’ toward Trump’s vision of a more efficient federal workforce, though he acknowledged that the process will take time and significant effort. Critics, however, argue that the administration faces mounting resistance, particularly from Democrats and various courts, who contend that the cuts may disproportionately affect critical government functions.