Trump Admin Spent .5B on Federal Employee Leave in 2025 via DOGE Buyout Program

Trump Admin Spent $9.5B on Federal Employee Leave in 2025 via DOGE Buyout Program

Trump administration spent $9.5 billion on federal employee leave in 2025, driven by DOGE buyout program. GAO report details surge in administrative costs.

Editorial Desk

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration allocated $9.5 billion for paid administrative leave for federal employees in 2025, marking a sixfold increase from 2023 due to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) buyout initiative aimed at reducing the federal workforce.

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that administrative leave expenses rose by 435% between 2023 and 2025, with $6.7 billion attributed to the Deferred Resignation Program, a voluntary buyout offered to federal workers to encourage early retirement or resignation.

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The program, managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), allowed participants to receive pay through September 30, 2025, even after leaving their positions. While the administration expected 200,000 employees to participate, the GAO estimated that 144,312 individuals accepted the offer. OPM director Scott Kupor emphasized the long-term savings of $40 billion annually, calling it a significant return on investment for taxpayers.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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