On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring all federal employees to end remote work and return to their duty stations full-time. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman highlighted unacceptable levels of remote work across various agencies, revealing that only 6% of federal employees were physically present at work. This mandate compels all federal agencies to comply and give workers 30 days to document any valid reasons for continuing remote work arrangements, emphasizing the administration's commitment to returning to pre-pandemic work norms.
Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman noted the total number of hours of remote work done in 2024: 28.9% for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 24.4% for U.S. Coast Guard personnel, and 39.7% for Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency. Huffman stated, "These numbers are unacceptable. It is the policy of this agency for employees to work at their duty station—to the maximum extent."
Huffman is requiring all DHS officials who have not returned to in-person duties to provide documentation within 30 days, citing possible justifications for continued remote work as a lack of space, physical incapacity, or legal issues.
Reports from the White House indicated only 6% of federal employees are currently working in person, demonstrating a significant shift from pre-remote work norms.
An August White House report estimated that around 1.1 million federal employees are eligible for remote work, revealing the scale of the shift to in-person roles.
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