A significant drop in civilian jobs highlights ongoing efficiency efforts by the Trump administration, amid legal challenges.
US government workforce shrinks by 12% since September 2024
The U.S. government’s civilian workforce shrank by 12% between September 2024 and January 2026, according to government data published today, reflecting President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to cut government jobs.
Separate data, also published by the federal government’s HR office – the Office of Personnel Management – showed that the majority of employees who exited under Trump left their jobs through voluntary resignations or early retirements, with a smaller percentage leaving due to layoffs.
The figures are expected to shift as judges consider lawsuits challenging the firings. Judges in some of the cases have ordered the administration to rehire specific employees, including staff fired during a 2025 government shutdown.
