The largest exodus of federal employees in U.S. history became official today as more than 154,000 civil servants resigned under President Trump’s deferred resignation program. The workforce reduction is being hailed by Republicans as a long-awaited correction to Washington’s bloated bureaucracy.
A Promise to Cut Washington Down to Size
President Trump pledged to shrink government and put taxpayers first, and today’s resignations show that pledge is being kept. The “Fork in the Road” program, created by the Office of Personnel Management and DOGE earlier this year, allowed employees to resign months in advance while continuing to receive pay and benefits. September 30 marked the date when those resignations officially took effect.
The result is 154,000 names coming off the federal payroll in a single week. For taxpaying Americans, that represents billions in savings on salaries, pensions, and overhead, along with a government that is finally being forced to operate more efficiently.
By eliminating entire layers of staff across agencies, the administration is making government leaner, more accountable, and closer to the people it serves.
“Washington has been too big, too wasteful, and too unaccountable for too long,” one White House official said. “President Trump is restoring power where it belongs, with the American people.”
Agencies Forced to Downsize
The resignations are affecting a wide range of departments, from regulatory agencies to administrative offices. Leaders are being pushed to prioritize core services and abandon unnecessary projects. Businesses that have struggled with federal red tape say they expect fewer delays, less interference, and a faster path to approvals.
Union leaders and Democrats are voicing outrage, but their protests highlight what many taxpayers already believe: Washington grew too large, and this reset was long overdue.
What Comes Next
The administration has indicated that more streamlining could be on the way, especially as budget deadlines approach. Supporters say the departure of 154,000 workers marks a turning point for a government that had grown detached from the people it was meant to serve.
For millions who have demanded a smaller and more accountable federal government, today is being celebrated as a victory.