GAO counted nearly 378,000 separations across 22 major agencies in 2025

Entities and roles

• Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
• Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
• Office of Personnel Managementcentral personnel office supporting government-wide reductions
• Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action

Relationships in this file

1. Elon Muskcoordinated a workforce drive producing mass separationsOffice of Personnel Management
2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought

Claims and evidence

1. factdocumented

   GAO's payroll-data review found nearly 378,000 separations and about 127,000 hires across 22 major agencies during calendar 2025; SBA and USAID data were not included.

   • U.S. Government Accountability Office: Federal Agency Workforce Changes: Update for July 2025 to January 2026Passages and source records documenting: GAO counted nearly 378,000 separations across 22 major agencies in 2025
2. factdocumented

   Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

   • The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
3. factdocumented

   Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.

   • United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 37: Confirmation of Russell VoughtAppointment or biography record identifying Russell Vought as Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director

Measurements

1. Federal workforce separationsnearly 378,000 people

   Basis

   Observed

   Population

   22 major federal agencies

   Period

   2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

   Method

   GAO analysis of federal payroll data.

   Uncertainty

   Rounded count; excludes SBA and USAID because comparable data were unavailable.