US federal workforce shrinks by 12% under Trump’s government cuts
The U.S. federal civilian workforce declined by 12% between September 2024 and January 2026, according to data released by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), reflecting efforts by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government jobs, reports a Qazinform News Agency correspondent.
The figures show that the number of federal civilian employees fell from 2,313,216 to 2,035,344 during the period.
Separate data from the OPM indicates that most departures occurred voluntarily through resignations or early retirements rather than layoffs. Administrative staff, customer service representatives and IT managers accounted for the largest share of positions vacated after Trump returned to office in January 2025.
“This effort ensures taxpayer dollars support a workforce that delivers efficient, responsive and high-quality services,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a statement.
The downsizing initiative was led by billionaire Elon Musk and a team operating under DOGE. Musk stepped down from his role in May 2025.
The workforce reductions were felt across several federal agencies. The Treasury Department recorded a 24% decline in staff, while the Department of Health and Human Services saw a 20% reduction during the same period.
At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security was largely unaffected by the cuts, expanding its workforce by less than 1%. The agency has prioritized hiring investigators, inspectors, border patrol agents and enforcement personnel, in line with Trump’s focus on immigration enforcement.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh said the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from Saudi Arabia due to security concerns.
