Vivek's back-to-the-office mandate could finally eradicate the deep state

New Trump administration can demonstrate its commitment to fiscal responsibility and effective governance.

The recent proposal to require federal employees to return to the office full-time has sparked debate about how best to streamline government operations while ensuring effective public service.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has argued that mandating in-office attendance could encourage voluntary departures among federal workers, potentially reducing what he sees as bureaucratic inefficiencies. In an interview, he described his proposal as a way to address what he characterized as a bloated federal bureaucracy.

While this plan is bold and disruptive, it also poses significant risks that merit careful consideration by the administration.

Federal employees are responsible for managing a $6.1 trillion budget, with payroll costs totaling $110 billion annually, representing just 1.8% of the total budget. Ramaswamy believes a return-to-office mandate would lead to about 550,000 resignations, potentially saving $27.5 billion annually.

However, these numbers fail to account for the high costs of recruiting and training replacements, the loss of institutional knowledge, and the operational delays that would result from a sudden mass exodus of skilled employees.

Federal jobs often require specialized expertise, meaning it could take years to rebuild the workforce effectively, further delaying critical services.