A mass exodus of federal workers in 2025 sparked a nationwide movement, with former employees finding new purpose and reduced red tape in state and local government roles. This shift has been a game-changer for communities across the country.
Imagine Meghan Burns' surprise when her computer abruptly shut down at 5 p.m., only to reveal that her job as a civil rights attorney for the Department of Education was no more. In an instant, she and her colleagues were locked out, their federal careers abruptly ended. But public service was her calling, and she wasn't ready to give up.
"I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to public service and civil rights. It's all I've ever done," Burns shared.
Over 317,000 federal employees left their posts in 2025, part of President Donald Trump's initiative to downsize the government. Many took voluntary buyouts or early retirements, while tens of thousands were fired. This mass departure led to a nationwide scramble as skilled federal workers sought new opportunities in the private and nonprofit sectors.
But for some, like Burns, the answer lay in another level of government. Now the Deputy Director of Maryland's Department of Health's Office of Equal Opportunity Program, she believes the federal government's loss is a gain for state and local entities.
"States and cities recognized the value of these experienced workers and actively recruited them," explained Caitlin Lewis, co-founder of Work for America, an organization that helps people find public-sector jobs.
Marc Shaw, a 51-year-old former foreign service officer, found a satisfying career back home in Kansas City, Missouri. After 25 years of living all over the world, he was ready to return to his roots.
"I wondered who would want me after such a specialized career," Shaw admitted.
He applied to various organizations, expressing his willingness to do anything to come back home. It was his mother who suggested he look into city government, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was eager to hire federal workers like Shaw.
"They bring a wealth of expertise and an understanding of bureaucracy and mission," Lucas told USA TODAY. "Having this level of experience available is a rare opportunity for local government."
Lucas had hoped to attract federal workers when he took office in 2019, but most were reluctant to leave the stability of federal employment. Now, Kansas City is competing with other cities for experienced former federal employees who see city employment as a stable option.
"It's a win for America, as we attract talent that was once centered in Washington to opportunities all over the country," Lucas said.
Shaw, now Kansas City's Interim City Auditor, appreciates the lack of bureaucracy and the direct impact his work has on the community.
"It's incredibly satisfying to see the results of our work and to be closer to the people we serve," he said.
Most of the country's 3 million-plus federal employees are non-partisan civil servants, but when Trump won the presidency in 2024, Lewis expected to help about 4,000 political appointees find new public-sector work. However, the mass layoffs of civil servants in January and February of 2025 were unprecedented.
Work for America's Civic Match program stepped in, arranging job fairs, resume reviews, and mental health seminars for newly fired federal employees. They also helped translate national and international job experience to meet local and state needs.
Local government often has critical vacancies in human resources, finance, procurement, and operations, and a gap in mid-career employees who could become leaders.
While it's unclear how many former federal workers found new public sector jobs, over 250 state and local governments use Civic Match, and 187 people have landed roles in state or local government since January 2025.
Austin Holland, 39, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, felt called to work for the federal government and began serving in the Department of Housing and Urban Development during Trump's first term. But when the administration stopped allowing employees to work from home, his daily commute from Lancaster became unsustainable, and he resigned in May 2025.
"I loved my work, but the commute was too much with two young kids," Holland said.
He considered jobs with nonprofits, cities, and states before landing as assistant counsel for the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency.
"At the state level, I get to work on a wider variety of programs and see the direct impact of my work," he said. "It's awesome to be closer to the people I'm helping."
The movement of former federal workers to state and local government has been a boon for communities, filling critical vacancies and bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. It's a win-win situation, providing stability for former federal employees and much-needed talent for local governments.
