Concerns are rising that the Donald Trump administration, which is implementing large-scale restructuring under the guise of government efficiency, may lead to a talent shortage in the United States. In particular, there are indications that the preference of young people for public service jobs is decreasing, which could lower the expertise of the U.S. federal government.
On the 20th (local time), Bloomberg News and others reported that President Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week related to restructuring the State Department, including the closure of embassies in Africa and a reduction in diplomatic activities in Canada.
The executive order is expected to include provisions to reduce diplomatic personnel, abolish the current examination and training institutions for diplomats, and assess whether new personnel align with the 'president's foreign policy vision.'
The Trump administration's relentless firing measures continue. According to a report by The Washington Post (WP) on the 16th, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) set the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discretionary budget for 2026 at $80 billion, a reduction of about one-third compared to 2024.
Earlier, on the 1st, about 10,000 staff members from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the HHS were also laid off. As a result of this measure, key people in major institutional sectors like drugs, tobacco, and vaccines at the FDA have left the field, effectively halting its operations.
This federal government downsizing is reportedly being led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which fully reflects President Trump's intentions. In a congressional speech last March, President Trump declared, 'We will reclaim power from irresponsible bureaucracy' and stated, 'Any employees who resist change will be immediately fired.'
Consequently, the DOGE is aggressively pursuing large-scale layoffs without regard for organizational structure or key talent. Notably, many probationary employees hired within the past 1 to 2 years were included in the layoff list, despite usually being personnel deployed based on their expertise; however, their low seniority made it easier for them to be laid off.
Max Steer, the president of the citizen group 'Partnership for Public Service,' criticized, 'The Trump administration is implementing hasty measures that involve shooting first (firing) without any aim (judgment).'
Bloomberg News also pointed out that, besides the DOGE, Russell Bout, the Director General of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is encouraging indiscriminate restructuring. Bout is regarded as a close aide to President Trump and the designer of 'Project 2025,' Trump's re-election project. Previously, he stirred controversy with remarks in a 2023 speech, saying, 'I want to cut the budget and put civil servants into trauma.'
Experts express concerns about the federal government’s talent shortage and the resulting collapse of expertise. Although government salaries are not high, it was a workplace preferred by highly educated talent seeking to contribute to the public good. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of federal employees hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and 20% have master’s or doctoral degrees.
However, the recent increase in employment instability has sharply reduced the demand for working in government. Jennifer Jones, the Director General of the Union of Concerned Scientists, noted in an interview with Bloomberg, 'Civil servants are being neutralized, and future talent will gradually abandon or even stop considering public service careers.'