DOGE-Backed Initiative Paid .5B to Federal Workers Not to Work, GAO Report Reveals

DOGE-Backed Initiative Paid $9.5B to Federal Workers Not to Work, GAO Report Reveals

GAO report shows $9.5B paid to federal workers not to work under DOGE initiative. Trump's government efficiency plan sparks controversy.

Editorial Desk

September 16, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A congressional watchdog has revealed that the Trump administration paid over $9.5 billion to federal employees not to work as part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the government.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that administrative costs surged by 435% from 2023 to 2025, with up to $6.7 billion linked to the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), a key component of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

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Under the DRP, around 2 million federal workers were offered the chance to resign while continuing to receive full pay and benefits until September 30, 2025. Over 139,000 employees accepted the offer. The program, which was central to the administration’s goal of streamlining the federal workforce, faced sharp criticism from Democrats and scrutiny from the Office of Personnel Management.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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