Donald Trump Proposes 2027 Federal Civilian Pay Freeze

Donald Trump proposed a pay freeze for most civilian federal employees in his 2027 fiscal budget, citing the need for fiscal responsibility following inflation during the Biden administration. Under the proposal, civilian roles such as air traffic controllers and IRS auditors will receive no pay increase, while military members are slated for a 5% to 7% raise to rebuild readiness.

The move comes amid significant workforce attrition, with the United States Office of Personnel Management reporting that over 271,000 workers have left the government since Trump took office. This decline was driven in part by job cuts led by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Federal unions and legislators warn the freeze will degrade public services and accelerate the loss of institutional knowledge. Democratic legislators have introduced the FAIR Act to counter the proposal with a 4.1% pay raise, and Congress may attempt to override the freeze through appropriations legislation. Trump maintains the decision will not harm the government's ability to recruit or retain qualified employees.