STEPHEN MOORE: Time for President to Ditch Government Deadweight

By Stephen Moore |

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently ignited a firestorm in Washington by mandating federal employees to document their achievements. Many appear unprepared to respond, likening the situation to needing a lifeline.

A comprehensive review of the Civil Service system is long overdue. Data indicates that the federal workforce, which totals approximately 3 million employees, leans overwhelmingly left, with a significant portion identifying as Democrats. This trend is evident as over 90% of residents in Washington, D.C., supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the previous election.

Workers are entitled to their political choices, yet amid widespread discourse about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the ideological uniformity within federal employment starkly contrasts these values. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that federal employee turnover is just one-third of that in the private sector, where job performance dictates employment stability. In contrast, federal workers find it exceedingly difficult to be dismissed.

Unions and employees maintain an intricate understanding of this employment landscape. Efforts to terminate underperforming federal employees often lead to a barrage of lawsuits alleging discrimination or wrongful termination, crafting what some might call a well-rehearsed system of protection.

This scenario poses a dilemma for federal managers striving to maintain accountability. It is often easier for them to retain underperforming workers than to engage in protracted legal battles.

The situation is disheartening for the many dedicated federal employees committed to public service, who are often caught in a system that inadvertently rewards mediocrity over excellence.

However, change is on the horizon. Figures like Trump and Elon Musk advocate for a reformed civil service, prioritizing professionalism and the dismissal of ineffective employees. There is a growing argument that federal workers should endure the same performance standards as their private-sector counterparts—particularly given the staggering $2 trillion annual financial losses attributed to inefficiencies in government operations.

During his first term, Trump attempted to implement a pay-for-performance system within civil service, which would have disproportionately favored high achievers. However, similar to Reagan’s experience in the 1980s, Trump’s efforts faced backlash for allegedly politicizing the civil service.

Advocates for reform argue that downsizing the federal workforce may cultivate a leaner, more responsive, and potentially more politically diverse public sector. The need for such change is becoming increasingly evident.

Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Stephen Moore is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, and a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity.