President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order aimed at substantially decreasing the size of the federal workforce. This directive mandates the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to collaborate with federal agencies to implement these reductions. The plan involves limiting new hires to a ratio of one for every four employees who leave, encouraging large-scale workforce reductions, and identifying non-essential agency functions for elimination or consolidation.

This executive order follows previous efforts by the Trump administration to control federal hiring, including a hiring freeze and a buyout program offering incentives for employees to leave their positions. The buyout program has faced legal challenges from union groups and a federal judge has temporarily halted its implementation.

The order prioritizes retaining employees in essential roles related to law enforcement, national security, and immigration enforcement. DOGE's objective is to eliminate wasteful spending, enhance efficiency, and contribute to reducing the federal budget. The administration anticipates a surge in resignations due to the buyout offer, despite the legal challenges.

President Trump has cited underutilized office spaces and an excessive workforce as justification for the cuts. DOGE is also involved in other cost-cutting initiatives, including an investigation into the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) due to concerns about wasteful spending and potentially questionable funding practices.