White House Gears Up for Second Wave of Federal Agency Downsizing, Potentially Triggering Mass Layoffs
Washington D.C. – The Trump administration is actively reviewing federal agencies’ downsizing plans, a move that insiders anticipate will lead to widespread job losses for thousands of government employees in the coming weeks.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that President Trump had instructed all federal agencies to submit their proposals for a second round of staff reductions by March 13th. This initiative is part of his broader effort to reshape and reduce the size of the federal government, which he has long characterized as bloated and inefficient.
All U.S. government agencies have complied with the directive, submitting their plans for review, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the matter. While no firm deadline has been established for completing the review process, one source indicated that the White House aims to finalize it by the end of September.
"We’re going to take our time," the source emphasized, suggesting a deliberate and measured approach to the review process.
The downsizing effort is reportedly being spearheaded by Elon Musk, the prominent tech billionaire, through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk is said to be kept informed of significant developments in the review but is not directly involved in scrutinizing every detail.
Although Musk’s involvement has raised eyebrows, sources clarified that Trump is not personally overseeing the review process. Instead, the responsibility lies with DOGE, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which serves as the federal government’s human resources arm.
The review process is expected to be rigorous, with some agency plans likely to be returned for further refinement and detail. Once approved, the agencies will proceed with their Reduction in Force (RIF) plans, which outline the specific steps for implementing staff reductions.
Neither the White House nor OPM has issued an official statement regarding the downsizing plans. Similarly, OMB and DOGE have not responded to requests for comment.
To date, DOGE has reportedly overseen the elimination of over 100,000 jobs from the 2.3 million-member federal civilian workforce. However, its sweeping efforts have been met with legal challenges, including lawsuits contesting the termination of probationary workers, the closure of federal agencies, and the access granted to DOGE staffers to sensitive computer systems.
Labor unions, opposition Democrats, and governance experts have voiced strong criticism of Musk’s approach, arguing that it has created chaos within the federal workforce. They contend that the initiative has resulted in the firing and subsequent rehiring of employees, while failing to demonstrate significant cost savings.
Critics further allege that the downsizing effort is a pretext for dismantling agencies and programs that the Republican Party has long distrusted.
Recent workforce reduction plans proposed by agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration were deemed incomplete and have been resubmitted.
The Department of Education had previously announced plans to halve its workforce, while Veterans Affairs had indicated its intention to terminate 80,000 employees. Agencies will be required to submit monthly progress reports detailing their progress in implementing the downsizing plans, according to sources.
While the full scope of the potential upcoming cuts remains unclear, the source provided some initial insights.
NASA, for instance, has reportedly indicated that it will reduce staff in its diversity, equity, and inclusion program and its Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy. At the Food and Drug Administration, the second round of cuts will primarily target staff working in record management and laboratory safety, among other areas.
The potential impact of these downsizing efforts on the morale and effectiveness of the federal workforce is a subject of significant concern. Critics warn that the loss of experienced personnel and the disruption of essential programs could undermine the government’s ability to serve the public effectively.
The long-term consequences of these actions remain to be seen.
As the review process progresses, stakeholders across the political spectrum will be closely monitoring the situation, anticipating the potential implications for the federal workforce and the broader government landscape.
The Trump Administration may face more legal challenges as the reduction of workforce is implemented.
The potential dismantling of federal agencies could result in detrimental consequences to the general public.
The potential disruption of services such as Veteran Affairs and the Food and Drug Administration can have significantly negative impacts on citizens.
The downsizing plans are not finalized and may be adjusted, depending on further review.
Elon Musk has been receiving increased scrutiny regarding his involvement with the project, as well as his handling of other companies.
Whether the downsizing will truly result in cost savings for the government has been heavily debated.
The effects of this workforce reduction could last for years after the administration has ended.
Many will be keeping a close eye on how this matter plays out.
