The US government paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025, a staggering figure revealed in a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). This massive payout stemmed from the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce through the so-called "department of government efficiency" (Doge), spearheaded by Elon Musk. The report highlights a 435% increase in paid administrative leave from 2023 to 2025, costing taxpayers six times more than in 2023.
What Is Paid Administrative Leave?
Paid administrative leave is an excused absence without loss of pay or charge to leave. According to the GAO, it represents a direct cost to taxpayers because employees receive full pay without performing job duties. The number of workdays of paid administrative leave skyrocketed from about 4 million in 2023 and 4.4 million in 2024 to a staggering 21.6 million in 2025. This exponential rise coincided with the Trump administration's aggressive reduction of the federal workforce, which has shrunk by approximately 355,000 employees since January 2023.
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The Role of the Deferred Resignation Program
About 70% of the paid administrative leave used in 2025 was tied to the deferred resignation program. Of the $9.5 billion paid to federal workers, $6.7 billion was associated with this program. Across the 76 agencies reviewed, 144,312 employees reported taking paid administrative leave under the program. The deferred resignation program allowed employees to resign but continue receiving pay and benefits for a period, effectively paying them not to work.
Financial Impact on Taxpayers
The financial burden on taxpayers is immense. The $9.5 billion spent on paid administrative leave in 2025 is six times what the government spent in 2023. This comes as many former federal employees struggle to find new work, and the administration continues to push for efficiency cuts. The GAO's report raises questions about the effectiveness and cost of such workforce reduction strategies.
| Year | Paid Administrative Leave Workdays | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 million | $1.6 billion |
| 2024 | 4.4 million | $1.8 billion |
| 2025 | 21.6 million | $9.5 billion |
Key Takeaways
- The US government paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025.
- Paid administrative leave rose 435% from 2023 to 2025.
- The deferred resignation program accounted for $6.7 billion of the total.
- 144,312 employees from 76 agencies took paid administrative leave under the program.
- The federal workforce has been reduced by approximately 355,000 employees since January 2023.
FAQ
What is paid administrative leave?
Paid administrative leave is an excused absence without loss of pay or charge to leave. It allows federal employees to receive full pay without performing job duties, costing taxpayers.
How much did the US government pay federal employees not to work in 2025?
The US government paid $9.5 billion to federal employees not to work in 2025, according to a GAO report.
What was the deferred resignation program?
The deferred resignation program was part of the Trump administration's Doge initiative. It allowed federal employees to resign but continue receiving pay and benefits for a period, accounting for $6.7 billion of the $9.5 billion paid in 2025.
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