GAO Says Pentagon Skipped Analysis of 78,000 Civilian Job Cuts

3 articles · Updated · Military Times · May 29

A GAO probe found the Pentagon never assessed how its 2025 elimination of roughly 78,000 civilian jobs affected readiness, workload or lethality.
The watchdog said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was legally required to analyze the impact before reducing programmed civilian staffing levels, but the department had no review plan or lessons-learned process.
Those cuts equaled about 10% of a civilian workforce that had topped 793,000, and were paired with Hegseth’s Feb. 28, 2025 order freezing hiring unless he personally approved exceptions.
The Pentagon said it acknowledges GAO’s recommendations and is evaluating the findings, even as the report lands amid a broader Trump administration clash with the watchdog.
OMB Director Russ Vought said last year the GAO “shouldn’t exist” and later told agencies its views are not binding, while the GAO says Congress relies on its fact-based oversight of spending and legal compliance.

With 78,000 jobs cut without review, how is the Pentagon ensuring military readiness isn't compromised?

As AI reshapes the federal workforce, can technology replace the knowledge of 78,000 cut civilian employees?

When a government watchdog's authority is challenged, who holds powerful federal agencies accountable?