USDA chief says agency is trying to fill key jobs after paying 15,000 to leave

Npr - May 8th, 2025

In recent testimonies on Capitol Hill, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins confirmed that the USDA is actively recruiting to fill critical positions after paying over 15,000 employees to resign. This move is part of the Trump administration's strategy to reduce the federal workforce significantly. However, the rapid rehiring has raised concerns, particularly from Sen. Patty Murray, about the logic of letting go experienced employees only to seek replacements soon after. Rollins acknowledged potential mistakes in the process but emphasized the difficulty of realigning such a large agency, inviting some former employees to return if they held key roles.

The deferred resignation program, utilized by the USDA, has led to controversy, especially as discrepancies emerged between Rollins' statements and accounts from former employees. Rollins maintained that no APHIS employees were accepted in the latest round of resignations, contradicting reports from affected staff. This situation highlights challenges within the USDA's restructuring efforts, with implications for employee morale and operational continuity. The tension underscores broader issues in governmental workforce management and downsizing strategies, with potential impacts on agricultural policy execution.

Trump Administration Federal Workforce Brooke Rollins Usda Aphis Sen. Patty Murray Deferred Resignation Program Senate Appropriations Committee

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and largely accurate account of the USDA's deferred resignation program and its impact on staffing. It effectively presents multiple perspectives, including official statements and employee accounts, although it could benefit from a wider range of viewpoints and more detailed background information. While the story is generally clear and engaging, its reliance on anonymous sources and lack of transparency in certain areas slightly detract from its overall reliability. The piece is relevant to current debates on federal workforce management, but it could have a greater impact by delving deeper into the broader implications of these employment practices. Overall, the article is a solid piece of reporting that could be strengthened by addressing these areas for improvement.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the number of USDA employees participating in the deferred resignation program and the agency's efforts to fill critical positions. These claims are mostly consistent with available data, like the reported number of employees who opted for the program. However, there are discrepancies, such as conflicting accounts about whether APHIS employees were allowed to participate in the second round of the program. This inconsistency suggests that while the story is largely accurate, some claims require further verification to ensure precision and truthfulness.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by presenting statements from Secretary Rollins and contrasting them with concerns raised by Senator Patty Murray and accounts from anonymous USDA employees. However, the story could benefit from more perspectives, particularly from those who accepted the deferred resignation offer and experts in federal workforce management. This would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and address any potential bias.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the events and key points. The language is neutral and straightforward, making the information accessible. However, the inclusion of more background information on the deferred resignation program and its broader impact on the federal workforce could enhance comprehension for readers unfamiliar with the topic.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including official statements from Secretary Rollins and reports from NPR. However, it relies heavily on anonymous employees for key claims, which can affect the reliability of the information. While anonymity is understandable due to fear of reprisal, it limits the ability to independently verify these accounts. The inclusion of more named sources or corroboration from additional authoritative entities would enhance the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article provides some context regarding the USDA's deferred resignation program and its implications. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather information, particularly regarding the anonymous employee accounts. Greater transparency about how these accounts were obtained and any potential conflicts of interest would improve the reader's understanding of the article's impartiality.