According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General, more than 20,300 employees left the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the first five months of the Trump administration, accounting for approximately one-fifth of the total workforce. About three-quarters of these departing employees left the department through an economic incentive program. This program is understood to be one of the Trump administration’s initiatives aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal executive department established in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. Its primary mission has been to support American agriculture, ensure food safety, and promote rural development. Over its history, its role has expanded to include critical programs in nutrition assistance, conservation, and scientific research.
Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an independent oversight agency found within many U.S. federal departments and other governments worldwide. Its primary role is to audit, investigate, and ensure the efficiency and integrity of its parent organization, aiming to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The modern concept was formally established in the U.S. with the Inspector General Act of 1978, creating a standardized model for internal government accountability.
Trump administration
The Trump administration refers to the U.S. executive branch under President Donald J. Trump from 2017 to 2021, a period marked by significant policy shifts in areas like immigration, trade, and foreign relations. Its history is characterized by a populist “America First” agenda, major tax reforms, and a unique, often contentious, style of political communication.
