Trump admin’s DOGE push saw federal paid leave surge 435% as costs hit $9.5 bn in 2025, says GAO; check key findings
The US spent $9.5 billion on federal employee administrative leave last year, with use increasing by 435%. This was linked to a deferred resignation program, costing about $6.7 billion, aimed at reducing the workforce.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the US government spent approximately $9.5 billion in 2025 on federal employees placed on administrative leave. This spending was six times higher than in 2023. The cost surge was primarily driven by the Trump administration's push to reduce the federal workforce and cut government spending, with the deferred resignation programme spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) playing a significant role.
The programme, launched in early 2025, allowed federal employees to resign while receiving paid leave for several months. It aimed to encourage employees to participate and accelerate workforce transitions. By the end of 2025, around 144,000 federal employees had taken part in the deferred resignation programme, costing the government more than $6.7 billion.
The OPM, however, cautioned that the GAO's estimate might be higher due to inconsistencies in agency-reported data. OPM Director Scott Kupor emphasized the potential savings, stating that the programme could lead to $40 billion in annual taxpayer savings.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
