Trump puts an end to remote work: 2.3 million federal workers ordered back to office

In a bold move, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating that all federal employees return to their offices, putting an end to remote work for the majority of the 2.3 million civilian workers in the US federal government. The order, signed on January 20, 2025, requires federal agencies to take immediate steps to eliminate remote work arrangements and restore in-person operations at full capacity.
A shift away from remote work policies
The executive order titled "Return to In-Person Work" aims to reverse the trend of remote work that has become more prevalent in recent years. While remote work arrangements have been allowed for approximately 10% of federal employees — around 228,000 workers — the vast majority of the federal workforce has continued to work on-site. As reported by Forbes, the order reflects Trump’s long-standing opposition to remote work, which he has criticized for undermining productivity and efficiency in the federal workforce.
“We are going to make government work better, and that starts with bringing everyone back to the office,” Trump said in a statement released shortly after signing the order, reports Forbes. “This policy will ensure that the government is running at full capacity, with all employees contributing directly to the work that serves the American people,” he added.
Legal and union challenges ahead
The sweeping mandate is expected to face significant opposition from union leaders and federal employees who have benefited from remote work arrangements, especially in agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Social Security Administration. As quoted by Forbes, some unions have already voiced their concerns, arguing that the policy could harm employees’ work-life balance and disrupt ongoing projects that have relied on telework.
Despite the potential legal battles, Trump’s administration is determined to move forward with its goal of streamlining government operations and ensuring that the federal workforce operates in a more traditional, in-person environment. The full impact of the executive order is likely to unfold over the coming months as agencies work to implement the changes.