Elon Musk—Led DOGE effort resulting in 270,000+ federal worker job losses - largest peacetime workforce reduction on record
As co-leader of DOGE, Musk engineered the largest peacetime federal workforce reduction on record. Federal rolls fell by over 270,000 workers, with government payroll down 9% (from 3.015 million to 2.744 million). Methods included: 'Fork in the Road' deferred resignation program (75,000 accepted), mass firing of 200,000 probationary employees, and 17,000 reduction-in-force terminations. OMB Director Russell Vought stated the goal was for bureaucrats to be 'traumatically affected' and 'wake up in the morning not wanting to go to work.'
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Services & Social Safety Net | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Worker Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -1.468 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.73)
Evidence (3 signals)
Cato Institute analysis found DOGE produced largest peacetime workforce cut on record but spending kept rising
The libertarian Cato Institute published analysis concluding DOGE 'had no noticeable effect on the trajectory of spending' but 'did help engineer the largest peacetime workforce reduction on record.' The analysis documented the 9% decline in federal employment from 3.015 million to 2.744 million workers.
Yahoo Finance/AP reported federal workforce down 271,000 (9%) under DOGE while government spending unchanged
Yahoo Finance reported on OPM data showing federal payroll fell from 3.015 million in January to 2.744 million in November 2025 - a 9% decline attributed to DOGE. OPM Director Scott Kupor stated on December 10 that 144,000 took the 'fork in the road' deferred resignation, 129,000 left through routine attrition, 21,000 took early retirement/buyouts, and only 24,000 were involuntary (17,000 RIFs + 7,000 probationary). Despite the workforce cuts, government spending did not decrease.
Led DOGE effort resulting in 270,000+ federal worker job losses - largest peacetime workforce reduction on record
As co-leader of DOGE, Musk engineered the largest peacetime federal workforce reduction on record. Federal rolls fell by over 270,000 workers, with government payroll down 9% (from 3.015 million to 2.744 million). Methods included: 'Fork in the Road' deferred resignation program (75,000 accepted), mass firing of 200,000 probationary employees, and 17,000 reduction-in-force terminations. OMB Director Russell Vought stated the goal was for bureaucrats to be 'traumatically affected' and 'wake up in the morning not wanting to go to work.'