Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2021, he has implemented a series of executive actions aimed at reshaping and downsizing the U.S. federal workforce, which numbers around 2.2 million employees. His administration’s approach has included buyouts, firing government officials, and altering key agency functions. Here’s an overview of some of the major moves:
Buyout Offers
The administration offered voluntary buyouts to 2 million federal employees, allowing them to remain on payroll without working in person. Interested employees were given until February 6 to decide, sparking backlash from unions and workers who saw it as an attempt to reduce staff without due process.
Funding Freeze
A memo paused a vast array of federal aid programs, potentially disrupting services ranging from healthcare to infrastructure projects. Legal challenges arose, with advocacy groups warning the freeze could devastate essential programs, particularly in states reliant on federal funding.
Firing Watchdogs
Trump’s administration fired 17 inspectors general from various agencies, a move that critics argue could undermine government oversight. The dismissals were seen as an attempt to replace independent watchdogs with loyalists, although some experts contended the process violated federal law as it can only happen after informing Congress at least 30 days in advance and give a detailed reason for the firing.
Cutting Workforce Size
Trump ordered federal workers to return to full-time office work and imposed a freeze on hiring, except for specific sectors like national security. He also reinstated a previous executive order, Schedule F, which would strip protections from many civil servants, making them more vulnerable to dismissal.
Reshaping Agencies
At the Justice Department, senior career attorneys were reassigned, some sent to enforce Trump’s immigration policies. The administration also halted environmental litigation and paused foreign aid, except for military financing for certain countries.
FEMA Review
Trump initiated a review of FEMA, criticizing its handling of disaster response and considering a reorganization or closure of the agency. This decision sparked concerns about politicizing disaster relief, particularly from critics who believe the move could harm vulnerable communities.
Diversity Programs
Trump issued an executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies. Federal DEI staff were placed on leave, and a review of federal contractors involved in DEI training was ordered. This move, which also targeted military diversity initiatives, faced significant pushback, with some calling it an attack on inclusion efforts.
Military Changes
Trump signed orders removing DEI programs from the military, reinstating service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, and targeting policies related to transgender service members. These measures led to lawsuits from transgender rights groups, arguing that the directives violated civil rights.
Overall, the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government and realign its priorities have ignited debates about the future of federal service, government oversight, and civil rights.
