DHS staffing changed about 1 percent while most major agencies shrank
Reporting and findings
- documented
GAO reported only about a 1 percent workforce change at the Department of Homeland Security while the 22-agency total fell more than 11 percent; contemporaneous FEMA reporting documented service disruptions inside that protected department-wide total.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Federal Agency Workforce Changes: Update for July 2025 to January 2026Passages and source records documenting: DHS staffing changed about 1 percent while most major agencies shrank
- The New York Times: FEMA Didn't Answer Thousands of Calls From Flood Survivors, Documents ShowPassages and source records documenting: DHS staffing changed about 1 percent while most major agencies shrank
- documented
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
- documented
Kristi Noem was the Trump-appointed homeland security secretary.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Kristi NoemAppointment or biography record identifying Kristi Noem as Trump-appointed homeland security secretary
- documented
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
Summary and current status
The contrast shows the cuts were policy-selective, preserving immigration enforcement while hollowing out other public functions.
DHS had roughly a 1-percent workforce change over the GAO period
People and organizations
- Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
- Kristi NoemTrump-appointed homeland security secretary
- Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- U.S. Department of Homeland Securitydepartment whose aggregate headcount masked component-level differences
- Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
Relationships in this file
- Elon Muskpreserved department-wide headcount while FEMA capacity was disruptedU.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed homeland security secretaryKristi Noem
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought