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- President Trump’s hiring freeze has halted local special census plans across the U.S.
- This freeze could impact the accuracy of the 2030 U.S. census and local funding allocations.
- Affected towns face delays in receiving updated population counts, affecting their federal and state funding.
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
On January 20, 2025, President Trump instituted a 90-day hiring freeze on federal civilian employees, which includes the U.S. Census Bureau. This freeze has immediate implications for local communities that were planning special census counts to update their population figures and secure more funding.
Core Players
- President Trump – Issued the hiring freeze as part of his “Day One” executive orders.
- U.S. Census Bureau – Responsible for conducting the census and special census counts.
- Local Governments – Affected by the delay in special census counts, impacting their funding.
Key Numbers
- 90 days – Duration of the hiring freeze unless a plan for workforce reduction is submitted.
- 2030 – Year of the next U.S. census, which could be impacted by the current hiring freeze.
- January 20, 2025 – Date the hiring freeze was instituted.
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The Catalyst
The hiring freeze, part of President Trump’s broader efforts to reduce the federal workforce, has immediate and far-reaching consequences. It prohibits new or vacant positions from being filled, except for certain exemptions like military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety.
This policy mirrors a similar hiring freeze implemented in 2017 during President Trump’s first term.
Inside Forces
The freeze affects various federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, which is crucial for conducting special census counts. These counts are essential for local governments to update their population figures and ensure they receive the correct amount of federal and state funding.
For example, the City of Johnston in Iowa had planned a special census but has now put it on hold due to the hiring freeze.
Power Dynamics
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest labor union of federal employees, has strongly opposed the hiring freeze. AFGE President Everett Kelley argued that federal employees are not the problem but the solution.
The hiring freeze also faces criticism from Democrats, who argue it could have adverse effects on veterans’ healthcare and other critical services.
Outside Impact
The halt in special census counts could lead to inaccurate population figures, affecting funding allocations for local communities. This could impact various services, including road maintenance, public health programs, and education.
The broader implications include potential delays in the 2030 U.S. census, which relies on accurate and up-to-date population data.
Future Forces
As the hiring freeze continues, federal agencies are required to develop plans for reducing the workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition. This could lead to long-term changes in how the federal government operates and the services it provides.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is playing a central role in these efforts, aiming to significantly reduce government capacity and workforce.
Data Points
- January 20, 2025: Date the hiring freeze was instituted.
- 90 days: Duration of the hiring freeze unless a workforce reduction plan is submitted.
- 2017: Year a similar hiring freeze was implemented during President Trump’s first term.
- 2030: Year of the next U.S. census, which could be impacted by the current hiring freeze.
The ongoing hiring freeze underscores the significant challenges facing federal agencies and local governments in conducting essential population counts. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how these policies will shape the future of federal workforce management and the accuracy of the U.S. census.
