Politics
How many employees can the federal government afford to lose before it collapses?
The federal government has made unprecedented personnel cuts, firing and rehiring workers quickly, which has generated criticism and legal demands. Uncertainty has led to employee departures, but also to new hires. Numerous firings have been reversed, especially in critical areas such as national security and public health. Examples include rehiring in the Energy, Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments, showing the inefficiency of the cuts and the risk to the provision of essential services.
November 21, 2025