Trump administration moves to rehire federal workers cut by DOGE

The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal property and procurement, is asking hundreds of its former employees who lost their jobs earlier this year to return to work. These workers, let go under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, are expected to decide by the end of the week. If they choose to come back, they will resume work at GSA on October 6. The move follows significant workforce reductions earlier in the year, according to the Associated Press.

Starting in March, the GSA reduced its staff by thousands through layoffs, retirements and resignation programs. As a result, some critics argue that these cuts made it difficult for the agency to perform its job, causing delays and problems with managing leases. In some situations, leases ended, but government offices remained in place, which meant taxpayers had to cover additional costs.

DOGE aimed to cut the federal workforce and lower property costs by ending leases and selling government buildings. However, due to challenges with the initial plans, many of these strategies have changed. Almost 500 leases that were supposed to end have been extended, and the expected savings are now significantly lower.

The recall at GSA is part of a broader trend; it follows similar moves at other agencies, including the IRS, Labor Department and National Park Service, all of which have recently brought back employees who had resigned or taken buyouts. A GSA spokesperson said the rehiring effort reflects adjustments «in the best interest of customer agencies and taxpayers,» the AP reported.