Planet Money The last time we shrank the federal workforce
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Mar 12, 2025 
Elaine Kamark, a Brookings Institution expert and former leader of the National Performance Review, dives into the challenges of shrinking the federal workforce. She reflects on past efforts under the Clinton administration, revealing that significant savings often come from reforming outdated practices rather than just cutting jobs. The discussion also highlights how job cuts could impact public safety and the overall efficiency of government operations, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation in meaningful reform.
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Atir and Doge
- Atir Cole, a federal worker, tracked dangerous biological substances for the U.S. Digital Service.
- After Trump's inauguration, her team was absorbed into the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), causing uncertainty.
Stagnant Federal Workforce
- The federal workforce size has remained relatively stagnant for 50 years, despite significant population growth.
- This raises questions about potential inefficiencies, sparking debates on necessary cuts.
The $400 Hammer
- The $400 hammer became a symbol of government waste, prompting Clinton and Gore's National Performance Review.
- Elaine Kamark, hired to lead the review, investigated inefficiencies across the government.