UPDATE: In a bold call to action, Amy Gleason, the acting head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has declared an urgent need to hire more tech talent within federal agencies. Speaking at the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International Health IT Summit on Thursday, Gleason emphasized that the government must “hire and empower great talent” to modernize its operations.
These remarks come as a stark contrast to the previous administration’s restrictive hiring policies. Under Donald Trump, the DOGE initiated significant downsizing efforts, including hiring freezes and mass layoffs that affected an estimated 135,000 federal employees. This shift towards minimizing workforce numbers was framed as a move for efficiency, but Gleason’s comments signal a potential pivot back towards workforce expansion.
Gleason, who took on her role in February, previously worked with the U.S. Digital Service, established under the Obama administration to enhance government technology. She stated, “If we could hire great talent for tech in the government, I think in five years, we can really transform a lot of these systems to be much more modern and user-friendly.” Her vision aims to create a more accessible government for citizens by leveraging tech expertise.
Amid these developments, the federal hiring freeze is scheduled to end on October 15, 2025. However, it remains uncertain whether this deadline will be extended, as it has been previously. Current policies allow agencies to make only one new hire for every four federal employees who leave, further complicating the landscape of federal employment.
Experts are weighing in on this urgent need for hiring. Heath Brown, an associate professor of public policy at the City University of New York, remarked, “Large-scale federal hiring across agencies and areas of expertise is a very good idea. Tech talent is one, but definitely not the only area where the smartest and most dedicated public servants are needed.”
As the federal government grapples with the challenges of modernizing its technology infrastructure, the emphasis on hiring skilled tech professionals could represent a turning point in the efficiency and effectiveness of government services. The upcoming weeks are critical as stakeholders await confirmation on the hiring freeze’s status and the future of federal workforce policies.
This urgent call from Gleason could reshape how government interacts with technology, potentially leading to a more responsive and user-friendly experience for citizens. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
