President Donald Trump is taking action to ensure most federal workers do not see a pay increase next year and denying concerns about its impact on employee retention and agency productivity, despite warnings to the contrary.
Trump’s 2027 fiscal budget proposal did not mention pay increases for civilian federal employees, who include air traffic controllers, IRS tax auditors, and food safety inspectors. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson last week, Trump confirmed that these employees would not see a pay increase for next year. Meanwhile, members of the military would see between a 5% to 7% pay increase, part of an effort to “rebuild our military’s readiness and capabilities.”
The president noted that a pay freeze for most employees was a result of increased inflation levels during the Biden administration. Inflation has increased from 3% to 3.4% since Trump took office in January 2025.
“Such a large raise for Federal employees while most Americans still struggle with the consequences of the Biden Administration’s giant inflation spree is unacceptable and would be unfair,” Trump wrote.
Trump insisted the move would not impact workforce levels, arguing, “This decision will maintain fiscal responsibility without harming the government’s ability to recruit and retain well qualified employees.”
