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Federal agencies must prepare to submit their layoff plans to the White House and Office of Personnel Management by Thursday, as the Trump administration aims to reduce and streamline the federal workforce.
On February 11, President Trump enacted an executive order directing federal agency leaders to prepare for significant workforce reductions. This order particularly targets employees in offices that have been closed or suspended, roles deemed nonessential during government shutdowns, and temporary staff.
The order specifies that layoffs will not impact positions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement duties.
Subsequently, on February 26, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management issued instructions for agency heads, giving them until March 13 to submit their Agency Reorganization Plans to comply with the large-scale workforce reduction directive.
The guidance emphasizes the administration’s perspective on government inefficiency:
“The federal government is costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt. At the same time, it is not producing results for the American public. Tax dollars are being siphoned off to fund unproductive programs that do not serve the interests of hardworking American citizens,” the OPM and OMB communication asserts.
Since the announcement, numerous agencies have already initiated plans to implement the anticipated workforce cuts. Notably, the Department of Education recently revealed its strategy to reduce nearly half of its workforce, translating to the termination of approximately 1,300 employees.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Today’s reduction in force reflects our commitment to efficiency and accountability, ensuring resources are allocated to where they are most needed—directly to students, parents, and teachers. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”
In a related move, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the closure of various offices, including the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, as part of compliance with the executive order.
NASA has also joined the effort, declaring the closure of three offices within the agency as part of a phased reduction in workforce.
Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs has commenced layoffs, recently announcing plans to reduce its employee count by 76,000, aiming to return staffing levels to those seen during Trump’s first administration in 2019. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to lay off over 1,000 employees, which constitutes roughly 20 percent of its workforce.
The Internal Revenue Service is currently in the process of dismissing approximately 12,000 employees, primarily those hired during the Biden administration, while the CIA has also begun laying off probationary employees.
Additionally, the Pentagon has made substantial cuts, terminating around 5,400 probationary employees earlier this year.
Probationary employees are defined as individuals who have not yet secured permanent positions within the government, which includes new hires or those recently reassigned.
Cabinet secretaries and agency heads are collaborating with the Department of Government Efficiency, a body led by Elon Musk, in efforts to enhance cost-effectiveness and minimize the federal workforce. Ultimately, however, agency leaders retain authority regarding terminations.
The looming Thursday deadline comes after the Trump administration extended a buyout opportunity to approximately two million federal employees. This buyout, dubbed the “Fork in the Road” offer, allowed around 75,000 employees to voluntarily exit the government with financial benefits.
Efforts to gauge the impact of these layoffs on federal programs continue, particularly with assurances that Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ healthcare would remain unaffected by the upcoming decisions. Agency heads have been instructed not to proceed with layoffs until the OPM and OMB have reviewed the respective plans.
In response to inquiries from the Oval Office regarding the ramifications of the mass layoffs, Trump rejected concerns about a potential weakening of the labor market.
“I believe the labor market will thrive,” he stated, emphasizing a shift toward high-paying manufacturing jobs in lieu of government positions. “We had too many people in government—this situation has developed over 40 years, and now is the time for reform.”
Throughout his presidency, Trump has advocated for states to reclaim authority over various policies, including disaster preparedness and educational standards. He expressed that the Department of Education should transition responsibilities to the states, arguing that such a shift would elevate educational outcomes and bring the U.S. back on par with successful educational systems in countries like Norway and China.
“Education should be a state responsibility,” Trump remarked. “This approach will enhance quality and save taxpayer dollars as well.”
As the deadline approaches, the ramifications of these workforce reductions remain uncertain. However, what is clear is that the Trump administration’s call for significant changes within the federal workforce is underway. Agency heads continue to strategize their responses while employees face a period of unprecedented uncertainty.
