Delayed for now, ex-leaders say cuts to the Interior Department would be disastrous

By Kirk Siegler

Published October 22, 2025 at 6:57 AM EDT

A judge has temporarily paused a reduction-in-force plan for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Former department leaders say the cuts will be devastating to public lands.

Kirk Siegler

As a correspondent on NPR's national desk, Kirk Siegler covers rural life, culture and politics from his base in Boise, Idaho.

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Delayed for now, ex-leaders say cuts to the Interior Department would be disastrous

Kirk Siegler

A judge has temporarily paused a reduction-in-force plan for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Former department leaders say the cuts will be devastating to public lands.