GAO Reports that Workforce Reductions Impact Indian Affairs

2/9/2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.   –  On February 4, 2026, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report quantifying the impact of the Administration’s reductions in force on Indian Affairs programs and services. In brief, GAO found that Indian Affairs’ job cuts left critical vacancies impacting the effectiveness of programs that support law enforcement, schools, and natural resource management. GAO also noted that there is a hiring freeze in place, and the Department of the Interior has been able to obtain waivers to make some hires.

Following a series of presidential directives and guidance from the Secretary of the Interior, the Indian Affairs (IA) workforce saw a net decrease of 11%, dropping from 7,470 to 6,624 employees. This loss of 846 staff members was primarily driven by: two Deferred Resignation Programs (DRP); a government-wide hiring freeze; and early retirements from senior-level experts seeking to avoid future involuntary Reductions in Force (RIF). While the agency shielded essential roles, such as law enforcement and social work, from voluntary separation programs, the resulting loss of senior institutional knowledge has been profound.

The full GAO report is available here. The GAO report highlights the tension between the goal of federal “efficiency” and the reality of agency operations. Key findings include:

Administrative Bottlenecks: Remaining staff have been forced to absorb extra duties, leading to significant delays in permitting and grant administration.

Legal Obligations: Tribal leaders expressed serious concerns that a leaner workforce hinders the federal government’s ability to meet its fundamental legal and treaty obligations.

Uncertain Return on Investment: As of December 2025, Indian Affairs has yet to analyze the actual cost savings or the long-term operational impacts of these cuts.

While IA officials currently have no plans for further staff reductions, the agency’s structure remains in flux. In mid-2025, Interior held tribal consultations to discuss the potential consolidation of certain functions. While IA has not yet been directed to reorganize to the same extent as other agencies within Interior, the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management noted that restructuring may still be necessary to align with administration priorities.

The Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process could also determine if further changes are necessary. Depending on the final budget amounts and statutory language, IA may be required to realign existing functions to fit new fiscal realities. These staffing shortages may also translate to slower turnaround times for critical approvals. As IA navigates potential restructuring, monitoring Interior’s workforce planning will be vital for tribes to ensure consistent service delivery.

The following chart from the GAO report shows 2025 separations across Interior’s primary Indian Affairs Offices and Bureaus.

Skenandore Wilson LLP is dedicated to the representation of Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, and individual Tribal members throughout Indian Country.  Our mission is to support and advance the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of our Tribal clients.  To learn more about how we can assist you, contact us at info@skenandorewilson.com or 608-608-1210.