URGENT UPDATE: Amy Gleason, the acting head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has just announced a critical need for more tech talent in federal agencies. Speaking at the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International Health IT Summit on October 12, 2025, Gleason emphasized that the government must “hire and empower great talent” to modernize its technology infrastructure.
This revelation comes amidst a backdrop of significant workforce reductions initiated by the Trump administration, which implemented hiring freezes and layoffs to streamline government operations. Under Trump’s leadership, approximately 135,000 federal employees have reportedly been let go, according to estimates from The New York Times.
Gleason, who took the reins at DOGE in February 2025, previously worked with the U.S. Digital Service, an initiative launched under the Obama administration aimed at enhancing government technology. Her call for increased hiring presents a stark contrast to the previous administration’s policies.
“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,” Gleason stated. “But we have to take advantage of hiring.”
The urgency of her message resonates with many experts. Heath Brown, an associate professor of public policy at City University of New York, remarked to Newsweek that “large-scale federal hiring across agencies is a very good idea.” He stressed the need for skilled individuals in various areas, not just technology.
The federal hiring freeze is scheduled to lift on October 15, 2025. However, the Trump administration has indicated that agencies will only be permitted to make one new hire for every four federal employees who leave, raising concerns about the ability to effectively replenish the workforce.
As the deadline approaches, the focus will be on whether the hiring freeze will be extended again, as it has been previously. The potential for a renewed emphasis on hiring skilled professionals in technology could significantly impact the future of government services and citizen engagement.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds. The need for tech talent in government has never been more pressing, and how officials respond will shape the efficiency and effectiveness of public services for years to come.