Federal Workforce Shrinks: Over 240,000 Jobs Cut, Sparking Wide-Ranging Impacts

Late January 2025 saw the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under President Donald Trump's administration, initiate a significant reduction of the federal workforce. This initiative led to over 350,000 workers leaving federal payrolls since January 20, 2025. After accounting for new hires, the federal workforce decreased by 242,000 people, or just over 10%, by December 2025, with nearly 2.1 million federal civilian employees remaining.

President Trump stated that he did not regret the downsizing, asserting that former federal workers were earning more in the private sector. This claim has not been uniformly supported by affected individuals' experiences.

Personal and Financial Fallout

The federal workforce reductions brought various personal and financial impacts to former federal workers and contractors.

Ashley Garley, a former USAID contractor, lost her job after the US froze foreign aid in early 2025. Over a year later, she is working part-time as a swim instructor in Maryland and has struggled to find a full-time position with benefits.

Morgan Hall, a former analyst with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was terminated as part of a reduction in force (RIF) impacting 10,500 people across agencies. Following her termination, Hall experienced severe depression, anxiety, and physical complications, leading to a 10-day hospitalization in October with associated costs of approximately $57,000. She relied on food stamps and state assistance, with a relative covering her mortgage. Hall began a temporary 12-week contract at the CDC in January but continues to seek full-time employment.

Casey Hollowell, an Army veteran and former investigative analyst with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), accepted a buyout offer in April after facing job insecurity. He initially sought remote jobs but broadened his search after receiving no responses, eventually applying for up to 30 jobs daily. In December, Hollowell secured a data analyst position at an insurance claims management company, starting on February 2, 2026. This experience prompted him to change his political affiliation from Republican to independent.

Kit Rees, a former investigator at the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, also accepted a deferred resignation offer, ending federal employment in September. Rees took various part-time jobs, including at an ACE Hardware store and a restoration construction company, while seeking full-time work in their field. After taking out a $15,000 loan, Rees secured a new job earlier this month, which involved a pay cut exceeding $30,000 from their federal salary.

Navigating New Paths: Career Shifts and Relocations

Beyond immediate financial impacts, many individuals found themselves embarking on entirely new career paths or relocating across the country for new opportunities.

Steve Leibman, previously with the US Digital Service (which became DOGE), accepted a deferred resignation. After some consulting work and a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, he enrolled in a teacher license program at Harvard University, intending to teach high school math.

David Schwark, a former prosecutor and employee at the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (an agency that lost 49% of its staff), became a magistrate in a local municipal court in Lakewood, Ohio, after being laid off and then reinstated by a court order.

Cameron Hilaker, a former emergency manager at USAID, was laid off when his wife was six months pregnant. Eight months after his son's birth, Hilaker remains unemployed and is a stay-at-home dad, noting financial strain and considering relocation from Washington, DC.

Vi Le, a former behavioral scientist and violence prevention researcher at the CDC, holds a small contract related to violence prevention. To compensate for lost income, she is expanding a hobby business designing floral arrangements.

Cross-Country Moves for New Opportunities

The federal workforce reductions also led to significant cross-country relocations for many individuals seeking new roles.

Nathan Karrel, a former USAID contractor, moved from Washington, DC, to Tucson, Arizona, for a new role with the city. Similarly, Lucas King, also a former USAID contractor, relocated from DC to Ketchum, Idaho, to oversee permits and inspections. Nathaniel Haight, a former USAID employee, moved from DC to Indianapolis, Indiana, for a grants handling role, enabling him to be closer to family.

CivicMatch, a job platform for former federal workers, reported that approximately 33% of its placements involved moving to a new state, with 10% making cross-country moves. This indicates a broader redistribution of talent to state and local governments.

Continuing the Mission: Advocacy and Volunteerism

Despite their federal roles ending, some former employees found ways to continue their public service missions through advocacy or volunteer work.

Julianne Weis, formerly of USAID's global health bureau, co-founded Aid on the Hill, a volunteer advocacy organization, after her termination. Her goal is to highlight the impacts of funding cuts and advocate for foreign aid restoration.

Deborah Kaliel, who worked at USAID's Office of HIV/AIDS, is volunteering for Crisis in Care, a fundraising effort supporting HIV services in other countries, while searching for a job.