In a sweeping move that has drawn both praise and criticism, former President Donald Trump has overseen a dramatic downsizing of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), cutting 25,000 employees — more than a quarter of the agency’s total workforce.
The reduction is part of Trump’s long-standing push to shrink the size of the federal government and reduce what he has often described as “bureaucratic overreach.” By scaling back the IRS, Trump argues that taxpayers will face fewer audits and less government intrusion into their personal finances.
“This is about giving power back to the people,” Trump said at a recent rally. “For too long, the IRS has been used to intimidate hardworking Americans. We are cutting down waste, saving money, and protecting citizens from unnecessary government interference.”
Supporters of the move view it as a victory for taxpayers, claiming that a smaller IRS means less red tape and fewer aggressive enforcement actions. Many conservatives have celebrated the cuts as a step toward limiting federal control and simplifying the tax system.
However, critics warn that the downsizing could have serious consequences. Tax experts argue that with fewer employees, the IRS will struggle to process returns, provide customer service, and enforce compliance against wealthy tax evaders. “This might sound like relief for some, but in the long run, it could cost the government billions in lost revenue and widen inequality in tax enforcement,” one policy analyst said.
The cut of 25,000 employees marks one of the largest reductions in federal staffing in decades and highlights Trump’s broader agenda of reshaping government agencies. As the debate intensifies, Americans are left divided: some see this as liberation from overreach, while others fear it could weaken the country’s financial stability.