Approximately 25,000 people have expressed interest in joining the Trump administration’s new Tech Force, according to Scott Kupor of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The administration plans to recruit software, data and other technology specialists from that pool to fill about 1,000 slots in the first cohort. Recruits are expected to serve two-year assignments across federal agencies including Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Justice. The initiative is part of the administration’s AI agenda and departs from earlier efforts to reduce government staffing.
Trump’s 'Tech Force' Attracts About 25,000 Applicants as Administration Targets AI Talent
FILE PHOTO: Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, speaks with fellow attendees during a reception for Sergio Gor, the recently sworn-in U.S. Ambassador to India, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Roughly 25,000 people have indicated interest in joining the Trump administration’s new engineering unit, Tech Force, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, as the U.S. government moves to place staff with artificial intelligence expertise into federal roles.
Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said in a post on X that the administration will use the list to recruit software and data engineers as well as other technology specialists. Reuters could not independently verify the 25,000 figure.
The pool of applicants will compete for about 1,000 openings in the inaugural Tech Force cohort. Selected recruits are expected to serve two-year assignments working on technology projects inside federal agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Justice, Kupor said previously.
Why It Matters
The hiring push is part of the administration’s broader AI agenda and reflects an effort to bring technical expertise into federal agencies. While previous presidents — including Joe Biden — have launched similar programs to attract tech talent to government, Tech Force marks a notable pivot from President Donald Trump’s early second-term emphasis on shrinking government headcount, with exceptions made for positions deemed important to national security.
“Tech Force is intended to strengthen federal capabilities in software, data and AI across agencies,” Kupor wrote in his post on X.
Reporting by Courtney Rozen; Editing by Rod Nickel. Reuters could not independently verify the applicant number cited by the administration.
