# DOGE Implements Federal Workforce Buyout Program

In 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) executed a deferred resignation and buyout program that paid approximately **$9.5 billion** to about 140,000 federal employees not to work, aiming to reduce the federal workforce by roughly 12%. This initiative led to a **435% increase in paid administrative leave**, primarily impacting the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Treasury. While the program achieved significant workforce reductions, it also caused costly backfilling needs and loss of institutional expertise. Following these reductions, federal agencies have initiated recruitment efforts focusing on early-career hires to replenish critical roles. The program's legality and congressional authorization remain contested, highlighting potential oversight and legislative implications for future workforce management.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should anticipate increased hiring and contracting activities as agencies backfill positions vacated under the DOGE program, potentially expanding opportunities for staffing and consulting services.
- The significant workforce reductions and associated costs may influence future federal workforce planning and budget allocations, affecting contract scopes and timelines.
- Organizations providing workforce solutions, recruitment, and contractor support may find increased demand as agencies seek to restore capacity and expertise.
- Legislative and oversight scrutiny of such programs could lead to new policies governing workforce buyouts and administrative leave, impacting procurement compliance and contract management.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Professional Services, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Contracting Vehicles, Policy
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Defense (DoD)

### Key Quotes
> The Department of Government Efficiency’s program to shrink the federal work force through deferred resignations increased the use of paid administrative leave by 435 percent during the first year of President Trump’s second term.
> — Original poster

> Trump spent billions to push out experienced and badly needed experts across government — this was the most expensive way imaginable to make government worse.
> — Senator Patty Murray

> Only Congress can authorize an agency, Congress never authorized DOGE, so everyone involved was acting illegally.
> — Anonymous commenter

### Sources
- [Federal Employees Were Paid $9.5 Billion Not to Work in 2025 Under DOGE Effort](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1whntra/federal_employees_were_paid_95_billion_not_to) - reddit-fednews
- [DOGE Initiative Resulted in Federal Employees Getting Paid Billions to Not Work, New Government Report Finds](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1wi31yw/doge_initiative_resulted_in_federal_employees) - reddit-fedemployees
- [Trump administration paid $9.5 billion in leave for federal employees in 2025, due to DOGE-era buyout program](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1wi8l1n/trump_administration_paid_95_billion_in_leave_for) - reddit-fednews