Story perspectives

Trump's Efficiency Drive Cuts 271,000 Jobs, Spending Rises

12/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, disbanded after cutting about 271,000 federal jobs.
Cato Institute's Alex Nowrasteh said it was the largest peacetime decline since World War II.
He argued the cuts did not meaningfully reduce spending, which rose by $250 billion in 2025.
Nowrasteh said deficit reduction would require cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and military spending, since payroll costs are about 10%.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, disbanded after cutting about 271,000 federal jobs.
Cato Institute's Alex Nowrasteh said it was the largest peacetime decline since World War II.
He argued the cuts did not meaningfully reduce spending, which rose by $250 billion in 2025.
Nowrasteh said deficit reduction would require cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and military spending, since payroll costs are about 10%.