Trump’s DOGE Fizzles: Federal Workforce Shrinks Just 1% Amid Bureaucratic Resistance

President Donald Trump’s push to slim down the federal workforce has hit a wall, with a mere 1% reduction—about 23,000 jobs—since September 2024, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This modest cut signals the deep roots of bureaucratic entrenchment, leaving experts skeptical about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its lofty promises.

The OPM data shows the federal workforce now stands at 2,289,472, down from 2,313,216 last fall. While the administration touts this as a step toward leaner government, critics argue it’s a drop in the bucket. Alex Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute called the results "disappointing," noting that early retirement packages and buyouts, set to peak by September 2025, may boost numbers but still fall short of transformative change.

Trump’s February executive order tasked DOGE with slashing staff, leading to a 70% drop in new hires—from 23,000 to 7,385 monthly—after a hiring freeze. Yet, economist Peter Morici likened the effort to "pouring teacups of ice water into a warming ocean." He argues that without eliminating entire functions, like defunding USAID, meaningful cuts are nearly impossible. Local economies and congressional interests further complicate reductions, as bureaucracy sprawls beyond Washington.

David Hebert from the American Institute for Economic Research sees the cut as a start but urges shedding non-essential federal responsibilities altogether. Meanwhile, OPM’s Acting Director Charles Ezell insists this is "just the beginning" of a disciplined workforce. Still, with court orders delaying terminations and Democratic opposition labeling cuts as reckless, the road to a leaner government looks long and rocky.