IIRC, the first thing Reagan did (from his car, right after being sworn in) was institute a freeze on Government hiring.
Those were the days.
Sigh.
This isn't as good as it sounds. The gubmint never really downsizes, it just hires legions of contractors to do the work. Programs need to axed to achieve any meaningful cost reductions, but "consituients" scream whenever cuts are proposed so Congress is reluctant to eliminate spending programs. Its a real mess.