But even if every federal worker were fired, it wouldn’t make a dent in the massive deficit increase Trump is proposing. The total federal employee payroll amounts to $271 billion—nowhere near enough to offset the trillions being added to the debt. So what’s the purpose here?

Additionally, a memo released ahead of a cabinet meeting called for a “significant reduction” in the federal workforce but did not specify numbers. Federal agencies have been directed to submit downsizing plans by March 13—just one day before the current government funding deadline.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that Trump’s policies would add $7.75 trillion to the projected debt through fiscal year 2035. This increase stems from $10.4 trillion in deficit-increasing measures, partially offset by $3.7 trillion in deficit-reducing actions.

The budget resolution includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending reductions over the next decade, yet these measures are expected to add approximately $2.8 trillion to the national debt by 2034.

Thought we were attempting to reduce the federal deficit? Instead, Trump’s proposed budget plan is projected to significantly increase it.