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Contingency plans released by the federal government ahead of the ongoing shutdown reveal the Interior department has lost around 14 percent of its total staff since September 2024.
The National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey have faced the most significant cuts under the Trump administration. USGS reports a 19 percent reduction in staff since September 2024, having gone from 8,400 employees to 6,780. The NPS reports a 33 percent reduction in staff, having gone from 21,870 employees to 14,500.
The only office within Interior that has gained employees is the Office of the Interior Secretary. Staffing in Secretary Doug Burgum's office increased by 148 percent, up from 3,300 in 2024 to nearly 8,200. This increase is due to the consolidation of IT, communications, and other functions into Burgum's office, according to E&E News.
Despite having already carried out deep cuts at Interior, the White House is threatening to carry out another reduction in force, or RIF, during the government shut down.
“This is unprecedented,” Jenny Mattingley, vice president of government affairs for the Partnership for Public Service, told E&E News. “We've not had an administration, to my recollection, talk about RIF-ing employees during a shutdown.”
Lee files bill weakening protections for public lands at US-Mexico border
Senator Mike Lee of Utah says his bill seeks to address the impacts of immigration on public lands near the country's southern border by allowing more road building and development on public lands. A fact sheet about the bill says it will allow the Department of Homeland Security to build roads on public lands and to conduct "necessary operations" in wilderness areas to secure the border. It also prohibits the "housing" of undocumented immigrants on public land.
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There is no reason to redo a plan finalized less than a year ago, after decades of local input. Rewriting the plan now, especially through this fast-tracked amendment process, will undercut years of community work and end up excluding the voices of those who live, work, and recreate in southwest Wyoming.”
