GAO Report: BIA Workforce Reduced by 11% During Trump Era

Amid significant administrative changes during President Trump’s early tenure, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) experienced a notable reduction in its workforce. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released data highlighting this shift, which was part of a broader strategy affecting several federal agencies.

The BIA, charged with the management of trust responsibilities for 575 federally recognized tribes, faced considerable staffing cuts due to hiring freezes and layoffs within the Interior Department. This trend mirrored actions taken across various governmental bodies during the same period.

Interestingly, while Elon Musk was appointed to lead the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the BIA underwent these workforce changes. According to the GAO report, by July 2025, 846 employees had departed from the BIA, signifying an 11% drop from 7,470 to 6,624 employees.

The BIA is generally required to inform tribes of such organizational changes in advance. However, Anna Maria Ortiz, the GAO’s director of natural resources and environmental team, noted discrepancies in this process. “And tribal leaders told us that the consultations happened after the staff reductions,” Ortiz reported.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, positioned under Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, saw a workforce reduction of over a quarter, with 120 positions eliminated. This administrative overhaul coincided with Senate Republicans confirming more than 100 Trump nominees, including William Kirkland, despite opposition from Democrats such as Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego.

William “Billy” Kirkland, representing the Navajo Nation, was appointed as the 15th Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, assuming the role shortly after the staffing cuts. Ortiz emphasized that these reductions “strained that capacity,” leading to delays, a loss of institutional knowledge, and challenges in the BIA’s mission to support tribes.

Although the BIA initially refrained from commenting on the GAO report, it expressed gratitude for the review and affirmed its dedication to enhancing “efficiency, accountability, and support for tribal self-determination” through updated internal policies.