In a sweeping move to fulfill a campaign promise of reducing the size of the federal government, the Trump administration has begun mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies. The reductions, which started on Thursday, come after the administration ended its deferred resignation offer for the nation’s two million federal employees.
Widespread Impact Across Agencies
The layoffs have primarily affected probationary employees—recent hires with one to two years of service who generally have fewer job protections. Federal agencies impacted by these cuts include:
- Department of Education
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Environmental Protection Agency
- General Services Administration
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Department of Energy is expected to lay off most or all of its estimated 2,000 probationary employees. Meanwhile, the Small Business Administration has already terminated around 720 employees, accounting for roughly 20% of its permanent workforce.
Methods of Notification
Notification methods have varied across agencies. Some employees received emails with termination notices, while others were informed via prerecorded phone messages. At OPM, approximately 200 probationary workers were notified of their termination through an automated message from the acting director.
Scale of the Layoffs
Officials have projected that the total number of layoffs will surpass the 77,000 employees who had voluntarily accepted buyout offers earlier in the year. More than 73,000 federal employees had taken advantage of the buyout, which provided full pay and benefits until September for those who opted for deferred resignation.
Executive Order and Future Implications
On Tuesday, President Trump issued an executive order instructing agency heads to prepare for “large-scale reductions in force.” This directive signals further downsizing efforts in the coming months.
Reactions and Perspectives
The layoffs have sparked debate among policymakers, scholars, and industry leaders. Elon Musk has previously suggested eliminating entire federal agencies, aligning with the administration’s direction. Meanwhile, Paul Light, a professor emeritus of public service at New York University, has expressed concerns that these cuts could severely diminish the government’s ability to function effectively.
As federal employees and the affected agencies navigate these sweeping changes, the long-term implications of these layoffs on government efficiency and public services remain uncertain.
