I fully support President Donald Trump's efforts to streamline the federal government, and I believe all taxpayers should share this sentiment. Our current trajectory of deficit spending poses significant risks, and addressing it now is crucial. This was a key part of Trump's campaign platform, and he is delivering on his promises.
Trump, alongside his budget-conscious ally Elon Musk, has set an ambitious goal of cutting federal spending by $2 trillion—a target Musk himself admits is challenging but nonetheless worthwhile. Even if achieving such drastic reductions proves difficult, the effort remains commendable.
Where I diverge from Trump and Musk, however, is in their stance on requiring all federal employees to return to full-time office work. More on that later.
In his early executive orders, Trump focused on reducing the roughly 2 million-strong civilian federal workforce by reclassifying certain positions to make it easier to terminate underperforming employees. According to Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and expert on federal budget policy, the government spends approximately $300 billion annually on salaries and benefits for these workers. Cutting 20% of this workforce would save less than 1% of total federal spending. While the savings may seem modest, the initiative is still significant.
"Even small cuts are worth pursuing if they eliminate wasteful or unnecessary spending," Riedl explained to me. "This signals a broader commitment to reducing government overreach—not just through spending cuts but also by shrinking the bureaucracy that imposes excessive regulations."
**Trump’s Plan to Bring Workers Back to the Office**
To encourage some federal employees to leave the workforce, Trump has proposed bringing all civil service employees back to full-time office work. To sweeten the deal, he's offering buyouts to those reluctant to give up remote flexibility.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management sent out a memo offering eight months of pay and benefits to employees who resign by February 6. The memo reads: "If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and will provide a dignified, fair departure from the federal government via a deferred resignation program."
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many federal workers have embraced fully remote or hybrid work arrangements. Estimates vary, but according to the Office of Management and Budget, about 10% of employees work fully remotely, while 54% work on-site due to job requirements. Other data suggests only 6% of federal employees regularly work in offices. Regardless of the exact figures, a substantial portion of federal workers have grown accustomed to remote work and are hesitant to return to traditional office settings.
Unions representing federal employees oppose these changes and have filed lawsuits challenging Trump's actions. Public-sector workers join unions at five times the rate of private-sector workers (32% vs. 5.9%), which often translates into more generous benefits, including pensions, and makes firing underperforming employees more challenging. This resistance highlights why Trump and Musk advocate for returning workers to the office—to enhance oversight.
**The Case for Remote Work**
While I understand the logic behind mandating office attendance, Trump overlooks several potential advantages of allowing federal workers to remain remote. In a recent interview, Stephen Miller, Trump's White House deputy chief of staff for policy, touched on one relevant point.
"There are 2 million employees in the federal government," Miller said on CNN. "Overwhelmingly, the career federal service leans far left."
He's likely correct. However, enabling more federal workers to live anywhere in the U.S., rather than being confined to Washington, D.C., or other major hubs, could foster greater ideological diversity within the ranks. Additionally, eliminating the need for large office spaces could yield substantial savings.
"My preference is to cast a wide national net for these jobs and weaken Washington's concentration of wealth that way," Riedl noted. "You'd attract individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, not just D.C.-based liberals."
That said, Riedl emphasized the importance of implementing stronger accountability measures if remote work becomes permanent.
Kudos to Trump and Musk for their efforts to reduce the government's footprint. However, they shouldn't dismiss the potential benefits of maintaining some degree of remote work for federal employees.
It’s been just under two weeks since Elon Musk took the helm at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and he’s already bringing his signature Silicon Valley intensity to Washington.
"DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast," Musk posted on X over the weekend.
Just before that, he emphasized the benefits of weekend work. "Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it's like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!" he wrote, suggesting an advantage in maintaining a relentless schedule. One commenter on X pointed out that this equates to about 17 hours and 8 minutes of work each day, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Musk is renowned for his grueling work ethic, often boasting 120-hour workweeks and expecting similar dedication from his employees. When he assumed control of Twitter in October 2022, he promptly instituted an 80-hour workweek mandate. However, whether such a high-octane tech executive mindset can translate effectively into the traditionally more measured environment of government remains to be seen.
An operational efficiency expert suggested that Musk’s approach could indeed help DOGE get up to speed rapidly. "Musk's tweet underscores his well-known philosophy on work ethic and the inefficiencies of bureaucracy," Shannon Copeland, CEO of SIB, a cost-cutting firm, told Business Insider via text. "While a 120-hour workweek isn't practical or sustainable for most, the underlying principle resonates. Organizations that prioritize efficiency, automation, and proactive cost management will consistently outperform those bogged down by red tape."
Roi Ginat, CEO of Endless AI, which developed a video AI assistant and has secured $100 million in funding, cautioned against taking Musk's statements too literally. "Pushing a team too hard for too long leads to fatigue and burnout. Many people simply can't perform optimally without sufficient rest, and as exhaustion sets in, mistakes multiply," Ginat explained in a text to BI. "I think Elon's tweet is more symbolic of effort rather than setting a new standard at DOGE."
Ginat, who himself works around 85 hours per week, added that while work occupies much of his mental space, balance is crucial. "Great ideas often emerge during moments away from the desk—like when I’m hiking with my kids."