Mass Firings Sweep Federal Workforce: Trump Administration Slashes Jobs
Executive Order Sparks Large-Scale Reductions
In a significant restructuring of the federal government, the Trump administration has dismissed over 10,000 employees from various agencies, marking the initial phase of a more extensive job-cutting initiative. President Donald Trump’s executive order, issued on Tuesday, mandates federal department and agency heads to implement substantial reductions in workforce.
The initial firings primarily targeted probationary employees, those within their first year of federal service, who lack the seniority-based protection against termination enjoyed by longer-term employees. This round of firings, combined with approximately 75,000 workers who accepted President Trump’s buyouts, accounts for nearly 4% of the federal government’s 2.3 million workers.
Breakdown of Agency Impact
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
A federal judge has temporarily halted the dismissal of additional CFPB employees following the layoff of more than 100 workers before the injunction. The court challenge was filed by a union representing workers seeking to block the administration’s efforts to eliminate the CFPB.
Education Department
President Trump’s stated desire to dismantle the Education Department has manifested in the dismissal of 1,200 to 2,000 employees, including personnel from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Less than 0.5% of the NNSA workforce was affected, while some initially identified for dismissal were later reinstated.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Thousands of probationary employees across HHS have been terminated, including approximately 10% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workforce. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also experienced layoffs, primarily among nurses from the NIH Clinical Center. Some facilities face potential closures due to staffing shortages.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Over 400 employees in probationary status at these agencies have been dismissed.
Department of the Interior
At least 2,300 federal workers in the Department of the Interior have lost their jobs, including 800 employees from the Bureau of Land Management and approximately 1,000 from the National Park Service.
General Services Administration (GSA)
Over 1,000 of the department’s approximately 43,000 probationary employees have been terminated, resulting in an estimated savings of $98 million.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
388 probationary employees have been dismissed after a review of agency functions aligned with President Trump’s executive orders.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
More than 100 probationary employees have been coerced into resigning or facing termination, according to Reuters.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The IRS is reportedly preparing to dismiss thousands of workers next week. The impact on tax return processing remains uncertain.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Approximately 20% of the agency’s staff, or around 720 employees, including probationary workers, have been terminated.
Forest Service
Nearly 10% of the Forest Service’s workforce of 35,000 employees, or approximately 3,400 probationary workers, have been laid off. Key personnel such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, bridge inspectors, and meteorologists were excluded.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Around 10,000 USAID employees, excluding essential personnel, have been placed on administrative leave.
Future Impact and Concerns
This initial wave of firings is expected to continue as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seeks to implement significant budget cuts across agencies. The mass layoffs raise concerns about the long-term impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of federal operations, particularly during a period marked by ongoing crises. The focus on dismissing probationary employees also raises questions about the fairness and equity of the layoff process.
