7 Big Changes for Federal Government Employees Under Trump

The federal workforce is facing significant shifts as new policies are enacted under President Donald Trump's administration, including a resignation package offered to over 2 million workers. 

As of Feb 6th, over 65,000 employees accepted Trump's "buyout" offer that promised pay and benefits until September before a judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect.

While the future is uncertain for those folks, remaining employees also face a lot of unknowns as there are more changes slated that could profoundly impact workers. 

For those looking to get ahead financially, it's important to understand how such policies might affect their roles and income potential.

Here are seven significant changes reshaping the federal workplace under this administration.

Trump has ordered federal employees to return to the office full time, marking a stark reversal of the remote and hybrid work arrangements that gained traction in recent years.

The return-to-office mandate leaves little room for flexibility, and some have speculated that it could prompt many employees to reconsider their roles in government altogether.

Federal job protections are undergoing a significant overhaul, leaving employees more vulnerable to termination.

This includes rolling back policies that shield workers from ideological job purges and stripping civil service protections.

The administration is shutting down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices across federal agencies, citing a focus on reducing bureaucracy.

These offices were created to promote workplace inclusivity and ensure equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups. All federal DEI office staffers have been placed on paid leave.

Trump has announced a temporary federal hiring freeze, halting new job opportunities across agencies.

The freeze is intended to reduce government spending and to "ensure that we're only hiring competent people who are faithful to the American public," Trump said.

The hiring ban does not apply to the following areas of the federal government:

• Military
• Immigration enforcement
• National security
• Public safety

Reuters reports that the Trump administration is reclassifying the job status of federal job workers. This could make it easier to fire the workers.

Don Moynihan, a professor at the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, told Reuters that this could potentially result in hundreds of thousands of layoffs.

The administration has put a halt to the issuance of new regulations.

This restriction is part of a broader effort to limit the federal government's reach, with Trump saying the goal of the freeze is to "stop (former President Joe) Biden bureaucrats from continuing to regulate."

Trump's push for sweeping government cuts includes the elimination of certain agencies and programs deemed unnecessary.

The president has announced the creation of an advisory group, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), that aims to streamline government operations while also cutting spending.

In an announcement, the White House said a top aim of DOGE is "modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity."

The federal workforce is undergoing a potentially seismic transformation under Trump's leadership, with changes that could reshape careers and livelihoods.

Whether it's returning to the office, facing weaker job protections, or navigating hiring freezes, federal employees must adapt to these new realities.

Understanding these changes can help you assess your financial fitness and determine what steps you need to take now to safeguard your career and income.