Government job loss under the Trump administration, since 2016. Are you at risk in 2025?

Under President Trump's first term in office, America experienced job declines.

Data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suggests that the total number of federal employees decreased by approximately 1.3% from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a loss of approximately 18,000 government positions. This decline was achieved largely through attrition, as the administration emphasized not filling vacancies rather than implementing widespread layoffs.

 

Also: What about social security? 

Trump has sad that he does not plan to change social security, however, one case shows how a senior experienced difficulty getting their due benefits. 

Job Losses in Government Agencies since 2016.

1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

   • The EPA faced significant cuts under the Trump administration, with staffing levels dropping from approximately 15,000 employees in 2016 to about 14,000 by 2020 citing budget cuts and decreasing regulatory enforcement practices. 

2. Department of Education

   • The Department of Education, which the Trump administration is further trying to dismantle in whole, saw a decrease in its workforce, from about 4,200 employees in 2016 to around 3,900 in 2020 with federal education programs being cut and the idea that school choice would be a better alternative.

3. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

   • HUD’s workforce declined as well, with a reported reduction of around 500 positions during Trump’s presidency. The agency faced budget cuts that affected various housing assistance programs.

4. Department of Labor

   • The Department of Labor experienced a reduction in staffing levels, with nearly 1,000 jobs affected. The proposed goal? Deregulation and a push to reduce federal oversight in labor markets.

While Trump's administration advocates for smaller government (and replacing US workers with his own people) that he claims will improve efficiency and reduce waste, others claim that these 'reductions' could lead to diminished services and oversight in critical government functions.

Employees have been left in a state of limbo not knowing if they will be next to lose their jobs.

When we asked government employees if their job has been affected by the Trump administration, we were told that they had not yet heard anything.

"We haven't heard anything", said one government employee who wanted to remain anonymous.

"We just don't know."

While some federal workers haven't yet been informed about their job security,  USAID, NIH and FDA employees have been let go. These resignations (or firings)  affect food safety, healthcare, and more for U S. citizens.

How have you, or someone you know, been affected by the latest wave of government job cuts under President Trump? 

Share your reality below.