March 27, 2026.
NCAI reviewed the GAO Report that shows the impacts of 2025 Workforce Reductions at Indian Affairs.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report detailing workforce reductions within the Department of the Interior Indian Affairs (Indian Affairs) during 2025. In response to presidential directives, the agency implemented a hiring freeze and offered voluntary resignations and early retirement to employees. These actions resulted in the total workforce decreasing by 11 percent by the end of July 2025.
Background.
Indian Affairs started 2025 with a workforce of 7,470 employees. By July, that number had fallen to 6,624. Most of the decline came through two deferred resignation programs. The first was carried out in January and February following direction from the Office of Personnel Management. A second program was offered in May, both to meet additional executive direction and to give employees an option to separate voluntarily amid concerns about potential reductions in force. Certain positions were excluded from the May program due to the nature of their responsibilities, including law enforcement, social work, and permitting roles.
Impact on Tribal Sovereignty and Service Delivery.
Tribal leaders and agency officials have identified significant concerns regarding the ability of Indian Affairs to meet its responsibilities:
• Loss of Leadership: Officials noted the loss of experienced leadership as many staff who separated were already eligible for retirement.
• Operational Strain: Remaining staff took on additional responsibilities, which officials say placed a strain on already short-staffed offices.
• Impaired Services: Tribal leaders stated that service delivery to Tribes has been affected and expressed concerns that the agency lacks adequate staff to carry out U.S. trust responsibilities.
• Existing Shortcomings: The GAO has previously reported on long standing shortcomings in workforce capacity at Indian Affairs and currently has several open recommendations to improve workforce planning.
These concerns were also highlighted by Mark Macarro, President of the National Congress of American Indians, in his recent testimony before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, where he noted that staffing losses are already disrupting services and federal trust responsibilities.
It appears that these shortcomings will continue until for the foreseeable future unless legal action is taken by at least one tribe to challenge the current actions off the U.S. Government. Unfortunately unlike states that challenge the U.S. Government's Policy Changes tribes do not have the money needed to mount these challenges. As a result the U.S. Government time and time again appears to be able to get away with not fulfilling their treaty obligations.