Thousands of government employees in Washington, DC, are now out of work as President Donald Trump moves forward with sweeping reductions in the federal workforce. Jobless claims in the city have climbed by 55% in just six weeks, with nearly 7,000 applications for unemployment benefits filed since the start of the year.
BREAKING: Unemployment filings in Washington, D.C., are skyrocketing right now. Filings have increased by 36% compared to two weeks ago.
The D.C. real estate market is also in shock, with many homes going up for sale at lower prices.
FIRE THEM ALL, Mr. President. pic.twitter.com/P1cMrS4zqt
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 16, 2025
The layoffs stem from efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to slash unnecessary federal positions. DOGE has pushed forward with mass terminations while also offering voluntary buyouts, leading more than 75,000 employees to accept early retirement offers.
7/ Unemployment in Washington, D.C. has exploded by 36%.
More federal workers than ever are hitting the job market after wasteful programs and fraudulent contracts are being axed.
👀 And the housing market in D.C. is flooded with listings. https://t.co/NOrLBZdtn1
— Neil McCoy-Ward (@NeilMcCoyWard) February 20, 2025
While Washington is seeing a sharp rise in unemployment, the rest of the country remains largely unaffected. The national unemployment rate dipped slightly from 4.1% in December to 4% in January. DC, however, had a 5.5% jobless rate in December, one of the highest in the nation, reflecting its heavy dependence on government employment.
High unemployment in Washington DC is good for America.
— Stacy Is Right (@PatrioticPizzas) February 16, 2025
Beyond job losses, the local real estate market is shifting as federal employees leave the area. Properties are being listed for sale or rent in large numbers, with some sellers lowering prices in an attempt to offload homes quickly. After years of inflated property values driven by government expansion, the city is now seeing a correction.
Bureaucrats are mad because DOGE is uncovering the truth.
Unemployment in DC has jumped to 36%.
Now you know why all these randoms are running to MSDNC and CNN to cry about getting terminated.
Let them cry.
— Gunther Eaglemanâ„¢ (@GuntherEagleman) February 16, 2025
While unions and former officials have pushed back against the cuts, Trump’s administration insists that reducing the size of the federal workforce is necessary. Officials argue that Washington’s bureaucratic class has ballooned far beyond what is needed and that it’s time for many of these workers to transition into private-sector jobs like other Americans.
🚨🇺🇸 IRS to lay off 15,000 employees next week as per ABC News. DC unemployment up by 36% due to DOGE disruptions. No federal buyout plan for IRS yet. Trump's nominee suggests abolishing IRS. Shake-up may continue. #IRS #layoffs #unemployment #DOGE #Trump #nominee #abolishIRS pic.twitter.com/ICT3oybhJU
— Anti-Woke Warrior (@AntiWokeWar_) February 16, 2025
DOGE continues to implement measures aimed at reducing federal spending, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are no longer propping up an oversized and inefficient government workforce.
