The US government spent $9.5 billion on federal employee administrative leave in 2025, marking a 435% increase from previous years, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report cited by livemint.com. This surge was linked to the Deferred Option for Government Employees (DOGE) program introduced during the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce.
The GAO report detailed that the DOGE program, which encouraged federal employees to defer their resignations while remaining on paid administrative leave, accounted for approximately $6.7 billion of the total costs. This program significantly increased the number of employees on administrative leave, driving up expenses for the federal government. The report highlighted the scale and financial impact of the program on federal payroll budgets.
The increase in administrative leave costs under the DOGE program reflects broader challenges in managing federal workforce reductions without immediate layoffs. The $9.5 billion expenditure in 2025 far exceeds typical administrative leave spending, underscoring the financial implications of such deferred resignation initiatives. This spending level is notable compared to previous years and signals a shift in federal human resource strategies.
The GAO’s findings provide a detailed financial assessment of the DOGE program’s impact on federal employee costs. The report was published on September 16, 2026, and offers policymakers data to evaluate the effectiveness and fiscal consequences of workforce management programs implemented during the Trump administration.