Federal agencies across the country are losing employees by the thousands, and lawmakers warn that D.O.G.E cuts are driving the next generation of talent into the private sector.
Federal Service Cuts and Their Implications
Lawmakers report that layoffs and hiring freezes implemented by the Trump administration through the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) are not only dismantling the current system but also its future. Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia highlighted that these measures block fresh talent from entering federal service. Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen noted that young talent is being driven away before they even begin. Republican congressman Don Bacon also expressed that D.O.G.E's actions have gone too far. 'It's not efficient to fire people and then rehire them,' he said. CITE_W_A: "The recruiting challenge they're creating for themselves is enormous," Tim said. "I don't think that's an accidental byproduct. I think that's a known consequence — and they don't care."
Students Drop Government Careers
Georgetown University students near D.C. are already excluding federal service from their career plans. One student, who asked not to be named, mentioned how her internship at a science agency was supposed to turn into a full-time job after graduation. However, due to D.O.G.E layoffs, the scenario changed. Similar situations are happening with other students, who are now looking towards the private sector. D.O.G.E policies are pushing skilled students towards high-paying crypto and tech companies instead of public service. CITE_NA: "I loved the work that I did so much and I could feel like it had a tangible impact on real people," the student said.
Closure of the Presidential Management Fellows Program
President Trump signed an order to close the Presidential Management Fellows Program, which helped budding professionals find their place in public service. The Office of Personnel Management announced that the 'talent management system' would be shut down by the end of the week. Ex-Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Arati Prabhakar expressed concern that D.O.G.E's actions send a message to those with technical and science skills to stay away from public service. CITE_W_A: "What D.O.G.E’s actions are doing? Those actions are telling these immensely talented people who want to serve our country — they’re telling them to pound sand," said Arati.
The cuts and hiring structures disrupted by the Trump administration raise concerns not only among current career civil service workers but also among future generations who could become part of the federal system. Lawmakers and experts express worries about the loss of talent and the disruption of career pathways necessary to attract the best and brightest to public service.
