Actions taken during the previous administration resulted in a reduction of the number of individuals employed by the federal government. This process involved various strategies, including hiring freezes, attrition management, and, in some instances, the elimination of specific roles or entire departments. For example, certain agencies experienced restructuring efforts which led to a decrease in overall staff levels.
These changes were implemented with stated goals of streamlining government operations, increasing efficiency, and reducing overall federal spending. Proponents argued that a smaller government workforce would lead to a more agile and responsive bureaucracy. Furthermore, historical precedent exists for government restructuring initiatives aimed at cost reduction and improved performance, although the scale and specific approaches of these actions varied.