Over 25,000 Applicants Flood Trump’s Tech Force Program in Groundswell of Interest
Washington's latest tech initiative just hit a milestone—and it's turning heads across Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
The Numbers Don't Lie
A tidal wave of over 25,000 applications crashed into the Trump administration's newly launched Tech Force job program before the ink was dry on the press release. That's not just interest—it's a stampede. The program, pitched as a bridge between federal ambition and private-sector innovation, appears to have struck a nerve with a workforce hungry for direction—or maybe just a steady paycheck in a shaky economy.
Decoding the Surge
What's driving the rush? Look beyond the political theater. It's a potent mix of genuine tech talent seeking stable, mission-driven work and a broader, anxious class of professionals watching traditional industries wobble. The promise of shaping national tech policy—with the administration's characteristic 'disruptor' branding—proved irresistible to thousands. It's a jobs program that understands its audience: sell the sizzle, not just the steak.
The Finance Angle: Follow the Talent
For markets, this is a signal flare. When 25,000+ skilled individuals pivot toward a government-led tech push, it tells you where the smart money—or at least, the smart labor—thinks the action will be. It's a bet on public-sector spending becoming the next growth engine, a stark contrast to the venture capital party that's looking for the next exit. Some cynical traders are already calling it the ultimate 'moonshot'—funded by taxpayers, with no clear ROI in sight.
The application window may be closed, but the real work—and the real scrutiny—begins now. Delivering for 25,000 expectant new hires is a different beast altogether. The administration promised to build; now, it has to prove it can engineer.
Applications to Donald Trump’s U.S. Tech Force program
Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, announced on Tuesday that roughly 25,000 people have expressed interest in joining President Trump’s U.S. Tech Force program, which aims to recruit 1,000 engineers for two-year federal positions. The administration intends to complete the first round of hiring by March 31, 2026.
The program targets software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts who are still early in their careers.
The program’s website states that candidates do not need to be holders of traditional degrees or meet any minimum experience requirements. However, they must demonstrate strong technical skills through work experience, projects, or certifications.
Annual compensation ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 plus benefits.
Cryptopolitan previously reported that those who complete their government service will have opportunities in the private sector. Major technology companies, including Apple, Google, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Oracle, Palantir, and xAI, have pledged to consider program alumni for positions after their two-year period of employment ends.
The participating companies can also nominate their own employees for temporary government service positions.
OPM described the program as a coordinated effort involving the Office of Management and Budget, General Services Administration, WHITE House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and multiple agency leaders. Participating agencies include the Departments of Defense, Labor, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Justice, along with the IRS.
Why is President Trump seeking engineers?
The Office of Personnel Management estimates the federal government could see about 1 in 8 civilian workers gone by the end of the year, or about 300,000 employees out of 2.4 million, with more than 150,000 accepting voluntary buyout offers.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration let go of more than 200 AI experts hired under the Biden administration’s National AI Talent Surge. Biden’s parallel initiative resulted in about 200 hires, with roughly 75 remaining in government roles, representing a retention rate of approximately 37%.
Former employees from the U.S. Digital Service were dismissed or quit during the first months of the Trump administration. The entire 18F digital consulting group at the General Services Administration was also shut down.
The Social Security Administration closed its Office of Transformation in February. The Defense Digital Service closed after suffering mass resignations, and the IRS had lost over 2,000 tech workers as of June.
President Donald Trump, in the first months of his second term, focused on eliminating government jobs, sparing only positions his administration considered necessary to maintain national security. Now, the administration is attempting to address a “critical skills” gap in government.
Only about 7% of the U.S. government workforce is in their early career, compared to almost a quarter in the rest of the workforce, according to Kupor.
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