The Department of Defense (DOD) has begun implementing significant staffing reductions as part of President Donald Trump’s broader initiative to streamline the federal government and cut unnecessary spending. As part of this effort, approximately 31,000 civilian employees have submitted resignation requests under an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offer, accounting for 3.5% of the DOD’s civilian workforce. So far, 11,000 resignations have been accepted, while some were denied due to departmental exemptions.
Beyond voluntary resignations, the DOD has also initiated layoffs, particularly targeting probationary employees. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), responsible for managing logistics and military supply chains, has already laid off 100 probationary staff members. Meanwhile, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has dismissed administrative personnel at its headquarters. These targeted reductions are part of a larger effort to trim government excess while ensuring operational efficiency.
A key component of this effort is the “Deferred Resignation” program, which allows federal employees to resign in exchange for deferred financial compensation. So far, 65,000 federal workers across various government agencies have opted into the program, representing about 3% of the total civilian workforce.
Supporters of these reductions argue they are a long-overdue step toward eliminating bureaucratic waste and making government operations more efficient. The Trump administration has maintained that a smaller, more accountable federal workforce is necessary to improve government effectiveness and prioritize taxpayer dollars where they are needed most.
However, some critics have expressed concerns over the potential loss of experienced personnel in key national security and defense roles. There are also worries about how these staffing cuts may impact the efficiency of military operations and civilian services within the DOD.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration remains committed to restructuring the federal government, ensuring that agencies operate more efficiently, effectively, and responsibly. While the long-term effects of these workforce reductions remain to be seen, the administration is confident that these changes will create a leaner, more capable federal workforce that better serves the American people.