Federal Agency Workforce Changes: Update for July 2025 to January 2026

Claims supported by this source

1. analysisdocumented

   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.

   Passages and source records documenting: DHS staffing changed about 1 percent while most major agencies shrank

   DHS staffing changed about 1 percent while most major agencies shrank · DHS had roughly a 1-percent workforce change over the GAO period

2. factdocumented

   GAO found the Education Department workforce fell by more than 45 percent between December 2024 and January 2026, the largest percentage decline among the 22 agencies reviewed.

   Passages and source records documenting: Education Department staffing fell by more than 45 percent

   Education Department staffing fell by more than 45 percent · Education had the largest percentage workforce decline among GAO's 22 agencies

3. 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.

   Passages and source records documenting: GAO counted nearly 378,000 separations across 22 major agencies in 2025

   GAO counted nearly 378,000 separations across 22 major agencies in 2025 · GAO reported nearly 378,000 separations and about 127,000 hires for 2025

4. factdocumented

   GAO found the combined workforce of 22 major agencies declined by nearly 256,000 employees, more than 11 percent, from December 2024 through January 2026.

   Passages and source records documenting: The workforce at 22 major agencies fell by nearly 256,000

   The workforce at 22 major agencies fell by nearly 256,000 · January 2026 payrolls were more than 11 percent below December 2024