Mass firings, buyouts and heightened uncertainty led to an exodus of federal workers in 2025. More than 300,000 employees will be out of the government by the end of December.
federal workforce
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Beyond ‘draining the swamp’: How Trump is knocking down checks on presidential power
President Trump wants to be able to fire far more executive branch employees at will — upending checks on presidential power that have existed for more than a century.
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As Trump shrinks other parts of government, immigration task forces grow
The Trump administration is tapping several other agencies to help deport and arrest those without legal status — a novel step that is prompting some pushback.
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Republicans’ love/hate relationship with the Education Department
President Trump has made clear he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education, but Republicans seem torn on just how far to go.
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After mass layoffs, some federal agencies are trying to bring employees back
A number of federal agencies, from HHS to the USDA, have laid off employees only to rescind those terminations days later. An expert says it “suggests something about mismanagement of government.”
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National Science Foundation fires roughly 10% of its workforce
NSF fired 168 employees, leaving the agency less equipped to fund a wide range of scientific research.
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Senate Democrats call for answers on health communications freeze and funding delays
Two letters from different groups of senators call for answers from the Trump administration about pauses in scientific communications and funding.
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USAID officials direct staff on ‘stunning and irresponsible’ cuts to jobs and offices
Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved less than 300 essential personnel as USAID staff in the U.S. and overseas rush to rapidly close missions and leave jobs by midnight Friday.
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White House defends its ‘Fork in the Road’ offer to federal employees
The White House says the federal employees union is doing its members a disservice by urging them not to resign with the promise of administrative leave until September.
