The size of the U.S. federal workforce has dropped to 2.74 million employees, its lowest level since late 2014, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Government employment declined sharply in recent months, falling by 162,000 jobs in October and another 6,000 in November.
Since peaking in January, federal employment is down by roughly 271,000 positions. Much of the decline stems from workers who accepted deferred resignation offers and formally left federal payrolls in October as part of efforts to reduce the size of government, according to MSN.
Workforce Cuts Accelerate Under Trump Administration
The employment reductions come amid efforts by the Trump administration to shrink the federal workforce. In addition to voluntary exits, agencies have prepared for potential layoffs through formal “reductions in force,” or RIFs, which allow agencies to eliminate positions based on budget or organizational changes.
While the administration has framed these moves as cost-cutting measures, critics argue they risk weakening core government functions.
Budget Group Warns of Service Disruptions
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities warned this week that the administration is using its authority over federal personnel to push through large-scale job cuts that could undermine public services. The group said areas such as public health, consumer protection, and special education could be affected if staffing levels fall too far.
The CBPP urged Congress to extend an existing ban on RIFs beyond the January 30 government funding deadline and called for long-term changes to how workforce reductions are carried out to better protect federal employees and service delivery.
Funding Deadline Looms
With another government funding deadline approaching, the debate over federal staffing levels is likely to intensify. Lawmakers face pressure to balance deficit concerns with warnings that rapid workforce reductions could strain agencies already operating with fewer employees than a decade ago.
