GAO finds DOGE deferred resignation program cost $6.7 billion in paid leave

September 23, 2026 at 12:04 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The Government Accountability Office reported a 435% increase in federal administrative leave use from 2023 to 2025, costing $9.5 billion in salaries for non-working employees. The watchdog attributed $6.7 billion of that total to the deferred resignation program run by the Department of Government Efficiency. OPM Director Scott Kupor disputed the findings, claiming the reductions will save $40 billion annually.

Key Facts

The GAO found a 435% increase in federal agencies' use of administrative leave between 2023 and 2025, totaling $9.5 billion in paid salaries to off-the-clock employees.
The GAO attributed $6.7 billion of the $9.5 billion to the deferred resignation program implemented under DOGE.
Nearly 140,000 federal employees accepted the deferred resignation offer sent to 2 million workers in February 2025.
OPM Director Scott Kupor claimed the reductions will save taxpayers $40 billion per year, calling the $9.5 billion expense a '400% return on investment'.
The federal workforce has shrunk by about 12% since DOGE's first cuts, with more than 271,000 employees leaving since Trump took office.

GAO Findings

The GAO analyzed payroll data and found a 435% increase in federal agencies' use of administrative leave between 2023 and 2025. The total cost reached $9.5 billion in paid salaries to employees who were not working. The watchdog attributed $6.7 billion of that amount to the deferred resignation program implemented under DOGE. The GAO noted that data accuracy may be affected by differences in how agencies report administrative leave, a persistent issue spanning administrations.

Deferred Resignation Program

In February 2025, DOGE sent a 'Fork in the Road' email to 2 million federal workers offering voluntary resignation with full pay and benefits through September 2025. Nearly 140,000 employees accepted the deal, according to federal data. OPM Director Scott Kupor disputed the GAO's findings, claiming the personnel cuts will save taxpayers money over time. Kupor stated the GAO report fails to highlight the difference between a one-time expense of $9.5 billion and $40 billion per year in savings from reducing the federal government by 270,000 employees.

Workforce Impact

Since DOGE's first cuts, the government workforce is about 12% smaller, with more than 271,000 federal employees leaving since Trump took office a second time. Partnership for Public Service reported that many agencies have or are looking to backfill more than 20,000 roles left vacant from the program. The federal deficit and government spending have increased during Trump's second term, with U.S. debt growing by around $3.8 trillion since January 2025.