Partnership for Public Service statement on one-year anniversary of directing agencies to reduce the federal workforce 

February 9, 2026

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier ahead of the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s executive order directing agencies to implement hiring freezes and pursue large-scale reductions-in-force on Feb. 11:  

“This reckless executive order was the catalyst for the largest-ever waste of public sector talent in our nation’s history. We lost more than 300,000 federal workers, with the largest outflow taking place at the Department of Defense and among the youngest and tech-savvy civil servants. These indiscriminate cuts have starved the government of talent while making it less effective and less accountable.  

Added Stier, “Our government is our one tool for collective action as a country, and it has long needed significant reform to improve public service delivery. This administration’s actions have taken us backwards and OPM’s new Schedule Policy/Career rule will make matters considerably worse.” 

Visit the Partnership’s Federal Harms Tracker to learn more about how the Trump administration’s unprecedented efforts to dismantle federal institutions, funding streams and infrastructure are disrupting critical public services and agency work in communities across the country. 

Check out the Partnership’s Government for a New Era Initiative for more information on developing ideas and action plans to make government more effective, responsive and accountable.   

During the past 25 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.     

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.       

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