Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

Since Trump took office, how many federal workers have lost their job?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. Federal agencies are facing a deadline of Monday, April 14 to present their plans for another round of mass firings, the next step in the Trump administration’s drive to shrink the government. Based on the latest available information, reductions could affect at least 12 percent of the 2.4 million civilian federal workers — a number that could grow as more of the agencies’ plans come into focus. According to the visual above, so far how many confirmed cuts to federal workers have already happened?

  2. According to the visual above, about how many federal workers already took buyouts and have left work?

  3. Federal government workers include: civilian government workers, members of the military, people who work for NASA or the FBI, and workers of government enterprises like the US Postal Service or Amtrak. Do you personally know or interact with people who work for the federal government?

  4. Based on the visual below* what agency or department has had the largest portion of its workforce cut?

  5. Based on the visual below* what portion of the education department has been cut?

  6. How do you think these massive cuts in the federal government will impact you?

  7. Congress has the power to create federal departments and agencies and only congress can delete a department or agency. Why do you think Trump and DOGE fired 99% of the workers at USAID and Voice of America (see chart below*) instead of 100% of them?

  8. Last Friday, about 1,300 workers were being cut at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amounting to 10% of its total staff. The CDC's mission is to protect the health, safety, and security of Americans by preventing and controlling infectious diseases, other health conditions, and injuries, and by promoting health and wellness. This involves conducting research, providing information, and responding to outbreaks and other public health emergencies. One of the most crucial jobs of the CDC is Detecting and responding to emerging health threats such as but not limited to COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, mpox, and bird flu, Ebola, and emerging pandemics. Male a claim about how CDC cuts will impact American health.

  9. Based on your knowledge of American liberal and conservative ideology, make a claim about which ideology would prefer to cut the number of federal employees.

  10. The Trump administration has used Elon Musk’s DOGE to cut the federal bureaucracy. Do you support these cuts?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Contact President Trump and tell him whether he should work to increase or decrease the number of federal employees.

Get Creative

Write a rap about cutting and gutting the U.S. government.

Learning Extension*

Check out all the USA Facts charts and visuals about American government workers.

High Five AP Government & Politics Exam Review Updated for 2025

Glossary

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