---
title: "Trump administration paid $9.5 billion for federal workers not to work"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-paid-95-billion-for-federal-workers-not-to-work"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-administration-paid-95-billion-for-federal-workers-not-to-work"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-paid-95-billion-for-federal-workers-not-to-work.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-administration-paid-95-billion-for-federal-workers-not-to-work"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-09-16T17:46:02.592Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-16T17:12:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-16T17:46:02.592Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-16T17:30:08.941624+00:00"
---

# Trump administration paid $9.5 billion for federal workers not to work

*Government watchdog report details increased use of paid administrative leave under the Department of Government Efficiency initiative.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the Government Accountability Office, a named body, and corroborated by multiple independent outlets.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes a quote from an official defending the program and mentions the OPM's disagreement with the GAO's findings.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use phrases like 'burned nearly $10B' and 'torched nearly $10 billion' which are more sensational than the reported figures.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The Trump administration spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal employees in 2025, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
- The use of paid administrative leave by federal agencies increased by 435% in 2025, largely due to the deferred resignation program.
- An estimated $6.7 billion of the total expenditure was for the deferred resignation program, which placed over 144,000 employees on leave.
- The Office of Personnel Management stated the GAO report does not distinguish between one-time expenses and annual savings.

The Trump administration spent $9.5 billion in 2025 on paid administrative leave for federal workers, a significant increase driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that this spending led to a 435% rise in the use of paid administrative leave across federal agencies.

A substantial portion of this expenditure, an estimated $6.7 billion, was allocated to a deferred resignation program. Through this program, more than 144,000 employees were placed on paid leave as an incentive to resign. The program was primarily offered early in President Trump's second term.

## Disagreement on cost figures

While the GAO report estimated overall spending on paid administrative leave at $9.5 billion, it estimated $6.7 billion was spent on the deferred resignation program. The Washington Examiner and Time Magazine digests reported the $6.7 billion figure for the deferred resignation program, while other reports cited $9.5 billion for overall paid administrative leave.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated reports mentioned the Office of Personnel Management's statement that the GAO report fails to highlight the difference between a one-time expense and annual savings. Similarly, none of the right-rated reports mentioned this statement from the Office of Personnel Management.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 28 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 46% (13)
- Centre: 43% (12)
- Right: 11% (3)

6 of 34 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-16T17:30:08.941624+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-16T18:00:12.171Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports highlighted the substantial cost of the paid administrative leave, with Daily Kos stating that DOGE "burned nearly $10B" and that the initiative "cost taxpayers billions." The Independent noted that "Trump spent billions to push out experienced and badly needed experts across government," quoting a top Democrat. HuffPost's headline stated, "Trump’s Brilliant Plan To Shrink Government Included Paying Workers Nearly $10 Billion Not To Work," and cited a Democrat calling the cuts "the most expensive way imaginable to make government worse."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the figures and the administration's stated goals. KIFI, citing CNN, reported that the Trump administration "paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan." Political Wire also reported the $9.5 billion figure, noting it was "part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money." News Facts Network reported that "DOGE Deferred Resignations Cost Taxpayers Nearly $10 Billion: GAO Report."

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on the cost of the deferred resignation program specifically. The Washington Examiner's headline stated, "DOGE's 'Fork in the road' buyouts cost government nearly $7B." The Washington Times reported, "Trump's federal worker buyouts cost $6.7 billion." Tippinsights reported the $9.5 billion figure for overall paid leave but did not elaborate on the deferred resignation program.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 5
- high: 20
- unknown: 7
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/guvernul-lui-trump-le-a-dat-aproape-10-miliarde-dolari-angajatilor-federali-sa-stea-acasa-anul-trecut-803507.html) — Trump's Government Gave Nearly $10 Billion to Federal Employees to Stay Home Last Year.
- [DiarioBitcoin](https://diariobitcoin.com/noticias/doge-habria-costado-usd-9-500-millones-en-salarios-de-trabajadores-sin-funciones) — DOGE Would Have Cost US$9.5 Billion in Wages of Non-Functioning Workers
- [Daily Kos](https://dailykos.com/stories/2026/9/16/800098969/news/doge-administrative-leave-lost-tax-money) — DOGE burned nearly $10B so federal employees wouldn’t work
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/doge-trump-musk-government-employees-b3051310.html) — Trump admin paid $9.5 billion for federal employees not to work amid DOGE crackdown
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4729534/doge-buyouts-cost-government-billions-gao-report) — DOGE's 'Fork in the road' buyouts cost government nearly $7B
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/trump-administration-paid-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-doge-101789573227184.html) — Trump administration paid employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025: Report
- [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/doge-2677867297) — DOGE torched nearly $10 billion trying to root out waste, fraud and abuse: watchdog
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/16/trump-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work) — Trump Paid Federal Employees $9.5 Billion Not to Work
- [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/politics/doge/trump-doge-employee-leave-billions-rcna598108) — Trump administration spent $9.5 billion last year on employee leave, driven by DOGE-era cuts
- [HuffPost](https://huffpost.com/entry/trump-admin-paid-federal-workers-nearly-10-billion-not-to-work-last-year_n_6aaa9973e4b0288deb0e1275) — Trump’s Brilliant Plan To Shrink Government Included Paying Workers Nearly $10 Billion Not To Work
- [tippinsights](https://tippinsights.com/trump-administration-spent-9-5-billion-on-federal-workers-paid-leave) — Trump Administration Spent $9.5 Billion On Federal Workers’ Paid Leave
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/doge-licencas-impostas-cofres-publicos-eua) — Doge-Imposed Licenses Cost US$9.5 Bi to U.S. Public Safes
- [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/09/16/politics/trump-doge-gao-report) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KRDO](https://krdo.com/news/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KVIA](https://kvia.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KEYT](https://keyt.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/politics/national-politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [KESQ](https://kesq.com/news/national-politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/09/16/trump-administration-paid-federal-employees-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-plan) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5 billion not to work in 2025 under DOGE plan
- [calfkicker.com](https://calfkicker.com/elon-musks-doge-attempted-to-downsize-the-civil-service-but-instead-led-to-a-10-billion-bill-for-non-working-federal-staff) — Elon Musk's DOGE Attempted To Downsize The Civil Service But Instead LED To A $10 Billion Bill For Non-working Federal Staff
- [We Got This Covered](https://wegotthiscovered.com/politics/doge-promised-to-cut-federal-spending-but-a-new-report-shows-9-5-billion-was-spent-paying-workers-not-to-work-most-expensive-way-imaginable) — DOGE promised to cut federal spending. But a new report shows $9.5 billion was spent paying workers not to work: 'Most expensive way imaginable'
- [The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/post/215484/federal-workers-got-paid-billions-not-work-thanks-doge) — Federal Workers Got Paid Billions Not to Work Thanks to DOGE
- [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/federal-staffers-were-paid-9-5b-not-to-work-in-2025) — Federal Staffers Were Paid $9.5B Not To Work In 2025
- [News Facts Network](https://newsfactsnetwork.com/news/doge-deferred-resignations-cost-taxpayers-nearly-10-billion-gao-report) — DOGE Deferred Resignations Cost Taxpayers Nearly $10 Billion: GAO Report
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/federal-employees-were-paid-9-5-billion-not-to-work-in-2025-under-doge-effort) — Federal employees were paid $9.5B not to work in 2025 under DOGE effort
- [1prime.ru](https://1prime.ru/20260916/palata-873332073.html) — The U.S. Court of Accounts Reported on Federal Employee Leave Costs.
- [Time Magazine](https://time.com/article/2026/09/16/federal-spending-layoffs-deferred-resignation-opm-doge-gao-report) — Thanks to DOGE, Federal Employees Got Paid Billions to Not Work
- [Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2026/09/trump-administrations-drp-cost-6-7b-last-year-watchdog-estimates) — Trump administration’s DRP cost $6.7B last year, watchdog estimates
- [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/government-paid-federal-employees-almost-10-billion-not-to-work-thanks-to-doge) — Federal Workers Paid $10 Billion Not to Work Thanks to DOGE
- [FEDweek](https://fedweek.com/fedweek/paid-leave-under-deferred-resignation-program-cost-6-7-billion-gao-estimates) — Paid Leave under Deferred Resignation Program Cost $6.7 Billion, GAO Estimates
- [washingtonsun.com](https://washingtonsun.com/agencies/trump-spent-billions-paid-leave-federal-workers-watchdog-report) — Trump Is Spending Billions More on Paid Leave for Federal Workers, Watchdog Finds
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/15/donald-trumps-federal-worker-buyouts-cost-67-billion) — Trump's federal worker buyouts cost $6.7 billion
- [UPI](https://upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/09/15/report-government-paid-employees-9-billion-not-to-work/3671789519232) — Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5B not to work under DOGE program

## Questions

**How much did the Trump administration spend on paid administrative leave in 2025?**

The Trump administration spent $9.5 billion in 2025 on paid administrative leave for federal workers, according to a Government Accountability Office report. This represented a 435% increase in the use of such leave.

**What was the deferred resignation program?**

The deferred resignation program was an initiative under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) where federal employees were offered paid leave for several months as an incentive to resign. An estimated $6.7 billion was spent on this program, affecting over 144,000 employees.

**Did all reports agree on the total cost?**

Reports varied on the specific figures. While the Government Accountability Office estimated $9.5 billion for overall paid administrative leave, it estimated $6.7 billion for the deferred resignation program. Some outlets reported the $6.7 billion figure for the program, while others cited the $9.5 billion for the total expenditure.

---

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