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● TRACKER Updated 32d ago · 18 sources tracked

Federal government paid employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025: Report

The Trump administration paid federal workers billions of dollars to skip work through a deferred resignation program, sparking a heated financial debate. While reports place the cost at $9.5 billion, a Government Accountability Office report evaluated the cost of Elon Musk's initiative at $6.7 billion. Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor argues the initial expenditure will generate more than $40 billion in annual savings. Critics counter that this calculation ignores vital expenses and mistakenly attributes broader workforce reductions to the program.

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  • ✓ The Trump administration's Deferred Resignation Program cost $6.7 billion according to a Government Accountability Office report.
  • ✓ Elon Musk's Fork in the Road initiative drove a 435 percent increase in administrative leave between 2023 and 2035, a Government Accountability Office report found.
  • ✓ Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor argues that a roughly $9.5 billion one-time expense could produce more than $40 billion in annual savings.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 18 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

OPM Director Scott Kupor defended the program by claiming it will produce more than $40 billion in annual savings, which critics dispute.

Live updates

  1. Dispute Arises Over Cost and Savings of Federal Resignation Plan

    The Trump administration paid federal workers billions of dollars to skip work through a deferred resignation program, sparking a heated financial debate. While reports place the cost at $9.5 billion, a Government Accountability Office report evaluated the cost of Elon Musk's initiative at $6.7 billion. Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor argues the initial expenditure will generate more than $40 billion in annual savings. Critics counter that this calculation ignores vital expenses and mistakenly attributes broader workforce reductions to the program.

    Why it matters

    The initiatives driven by the Department of Government Efficiency aim to downsize the federal bureaucracy and reduce federal spending. However, compensating employees while they remain idle creates immediate budget strains that complicate the administration's financial goals. Watchdogs and administration officials disagree sharply on whether the upfront payouts deliver long-term fiscal benefits.

    What is confirmed

    • The Trump administration's Deferred Resignation Program cost $6.7 billion according to a Government Accountability Office report.
    • Elon Musk's Fork in the Road initiative drove a 435 percent increase in administrative leave between 2023 and 2035, a Government Accountability Office report found.
    • Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor argues that a roughly $9.5 billion one-time expense could produce more than $40 billion in annual savings.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Critics say the calculation for projected savings leaves out important costs and attributes broader workforce reductions incorrectly.

    What to watch next

    • Further official audits clarifying the exact total cost of the deferred resignation program
    • Data releases detailing whether long-term federal payroll savings match administration projections
    Sources used for this update (12)
    1. reason.com — The Trump Administration Paid Federal Workers $9.5 Billion To Skip Work
    2. www.thehindubusinessline.com — Stock Market Highlights Sept 25: Sensex gains 315 pts, Nifty ends at 23,140 as oil prices bite; Rupee clo....
    3. fortune.com — Elon Musk's 'Fork in the Road' DOGE email cost the Trump administration $6.7 billion, report finds
    4. www.theglobeandmail.com — Where do your taxes go? See how governments are spending your money - The Globe and Mail
    5. www.foxnews.com — How sweepstakes responses put older Americans on fraud target lists
    6. dailyfed.com — Deferred Resignation Program Cost: Why the “400% Return ...
    7. www.ontario.ca — Public Accounts 2025–26: Annual report | ontario.ca
    8. www.themindfulfederalemployee.com — Federal Employee News & Rights | Shaun Southworth
    9. en.wikipedia.org — 2020s Minnesota fraud scandals - Wikipedia
    10. federalnewsnetwork.com — Federal News Network | Breaking Federal News & Information
    11. kimkj.com — AI, Economy, and Global Conflict Daily Briefing, Weekend Edition · Saturday, September 26, 2026 (PDF, 39....
    12. www.factcheck.org — Experts Question the White House's Defense of Taxpayer-Funded Ads - FactCheck.org
    confidence 90%

  2. Trump Administration Paid Federal Employees $9.5 Billion Not to Work in 2025

    The Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion to not work during 2025 as part of a DOGE plan to cut government spending. While multiple reports cite the $9.5 billion figure, data from the Government Accountability Office indicates the cost was nearly $7 billion. Another watchdog estimate places the cost of the administration's DRP at $6.7 billion for the previous year. These conflicting figures highlight a discrepancy between general reports and official watchdog estimates regarding the actual cost of workforce reductions.

    Why it matters

    The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established to reduce federal spending and headcount. These payments were used to incentivize employees to leave their positions. The variance in reported costs suggests uncertainty over how these payments are categorized or calculated.

    What is confirmed

    • The Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under a DOGE plan.
    • The government paid federal employees not to work as part of DOGE cuts.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A watchdog estimates the Trump administration's DRP cost $6.7 billion last year.

    What to watch next

    • Reconciliation of the $9.5 billion figure with GAO and watchdog estimates
    • Official breakdown of DRP costs versus DOGE incentive payments
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Federal government paid employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025: Report
    2. The Guardian — US government paid federal employees $9.5bn not to work amid Doge cuts – report
    3. CNN — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
    4. The Hill — Federal employees were paid nearly $7B not to work under DOGE effort: GAO
    5. Federal News Network — Trump administration’s DRP cost $6.7B last year, watchdog estimates
    6. washingtoncitypaper.com — The Needle: GOP Rep. Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Hegseth, Trump Spends $84K on Signs at Museums, the Government Paid Federal Workers $9.5 Billion to Not Work ...
    confidence 70%
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