In a significant move to reduce the size of the U.S. government, President Donald Trump's administration has ordered federal agencies to implement large-scale layoffs. This directive comes as part of a broader campaign to streamline federal operations and cut costs.
A new memo issued by the administration requires agencies to submit plans by March 13 for a \"significant reduction\" in staffing. This comes on the heels of ongoing layoffs and program cuts initiated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While the memo does not specify the exact number of new layoffs, it marks a major escalation in efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
To date, layoffs have primarily targeted probationary workers with less tenure and fewer job protections. The next phase aims to address the much larger pool of veteran civil servants, potentially affecting thousands more employees.
During his first cabinet meeting, President Trump highlighted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plans to cut up to 65 percent of its workforce, which currently numbers over 15,000 employees. Additionally, sources from the Interior Department revealed that agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are preparing for potential workforce reductions of up to 40 percent.
Approximately 100,000 of the nation's 2.3 million civilian federal workers have already been affected by layoffs or have taken buyouts. In a show of support, President Trump invited Elon Musk to present his budget-cutting strategies to the presidential cabinet, despite Musk not being a cabinet-level official or having Senate approval. Musk expressed confidence in his ability to reduce the $6.7 trillion federal budget by $1 trillion within the year.
In addition to workforce reductions, President Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to collaborate with DOGE to review and terminate all \"unnecessary\" contracts. The order also tasks the General Services Administration with creating a plan to dispose of unneeded government property.
Despite these efforts, spending has continued to rise. A Reuters analysis indicated that government expenditures increased by 13 percent during Trump's first month in office compared to the same period last year, driven by higher interest payments on national debt and rising healthcare and retirement costs.
President Trump emphasized that popular health and retirement benefits, which make up nearly half of the federal budget, would remain untouched. He also called on Congress to extend the 2017 tax cuts, which are projected to add $2.5 trillion to the national debt and could cost over $5 trillion over the next decade if extended.
In recent developments, many federal workers were surprised by an email from Musk requiring them to list their weekly accomplishments, with the threat of termination for non-compliance. Trump suggested that approximately one million workers who did not respond to Musk's email might be at risk of losing their jobs.
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Trump orders more layoffs, Musk touts cuts at cabinet meeting
cgtn.com
