Federal Workforce Reduction and Transition to Local Government Roles

In 2025, the U.S. federal government experienced its largest workforce reduction in history, with approximately 352,000 employees exiting their roles, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This significant downsizing was largely attributed to the "DOGE cuts," a policy initiative under President Donald Trump aimed at creating a smaller and more efficient government. Among those affected were employees from various agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education.

CNBC

Chantel Williams, a former employee of the General Services Administration, described the turmoil and confusion experienced by federal workers during this transition. Many, like Williams, opted for deferred resignation, which allowed them to leave their positions while still receiving pay. Williams expressed her struggle with the changing priorities of leadership, stating, "It was hard to wake up every day wanting to continue to serve but feel as though your leadership may have a different priority."

CNBC

In response to the mass layoffs, Caitlin Lewis founded the nonprofit Work for America in November 2024. The organization aims to assist former federal workers in finding new roles at the state and local levels through its Civic Match platform. Lewis noted the unexpected volume of need for such services, highlighting that government jobs had traditionally been viewed as stable. Since its inception, Work for America has grown from two to 15 employees and has successfully placed nearly 200 job seekers, with 150 of them being former federal workers.

CNBC

Nate Haight, a former education advisor at USAID, also faced job cuts and turned to Civic Match for assistance. After opting for deferred resignation, he secured a position as a grants administrator for the city of Indianapolis. Haight reflected on his previous work, stating, "I particularly loved my work in the education sector. It was really meaningful being able to go out and see the impact that the programs were having around the world."

CNBC

Looking ahead, Work for America plans to enhance its Civic Match platform with new features, including candidate match scores powered by artificial intelligence and improved job targeting. This initiative aims to better connect former federal employees with local government opportunities, addressing the staffing gaps created by the recent workforce reductions.

CNBC

While the DOGE cuts have been framed as a necessary step towards government efficiency, critics argue that such drastic reductions undermine the stability and effectiveness of public services. The rapid transition has left many former employees feeling uncertain about their future and the overall impact on government operations.

CNBC

• "It started off as feeling very startling that the transition wasn't occurring as seamlessly as it had in prior years." — Chantel Williams, Former GSA Employee

CNBC

• "We never imagined the volume of need that was going to occur." — Caitlin Lewis, Founder of Work for America

CNBC

• "I was invested in the work and I saw the difference that it was making." — Nate Haight, Former USAID Employee

CNBC

This article outlines the significant changes within the federal workforce under President Trump's administration, the support provided to displaced employees, and the ongoing efforts to facilitate their transition into local government roles.

CNBC