Washington: The U.S. government has begun mass terminations across multiple agencies as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk push forward with a sweeping overhaul of federal bureaucracy. Sources within unions and government agencies confirmed that thousands of federal workers, primarily in their probationary period, have been dismissed as part of the administration’s aggressive cost-cutting efforts.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced over 1,000 layoffs, while the U.S. Forest Service is expected to cut more than 3,000 positions. Additionally, termination notices have been issued across the Department of Education, the Small Business Administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the General Services Administration.
Broad Restructuring Underway
The restructuring appears to be expanding, with Musk aides making their first appearance at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. embassies instructed to prepare for further staff reductions. Trump has justified the move by citing the federal government’s $36 trillion debt and the need to curb wasteful spending. While bipartisan consensus exists on the need for reform, critics argue that Musk’s role in the process grants him extraordinary influence over government operations.
Data indicates that approximately 280,000 civilian federal employees were hired within the past two years, most of whom are still on probation, making them easier to terminate. However, sources suggest that layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau extend beyond probationary employees, with full-time contract workers also affected.
Reports indicate that the U.S. Forest Service’s planned layoffs will impact 3,400 probationary employees, though frontline firefighters will be exempt. Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs has defended its decision, stating that the cuts will save over $98 million annually, which will be redirected toward healthcare and benefits for veterans.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has also taken action, firing all probationary employees in a group call and advising other agencies to follow suit.
Legal Challenges and Fallout
As the layoffs proceed, legal challenges have emerged. Fourteen states have filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, arguing that Musk’s appointment to oversee government efficiency was made without congressional authorization, giving him unchecked power over government operations.
Under U.S. law, most civil service employees can only be dismissed for poor performance or misconduct, with extensive due process rights. However, probationary employees—who are the primary targets of these layoffs—have fewer legal protections.
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Termination letters seen by Reuters indicate that at least 45 employees at the Small Business Administration and 160 at the Department of Education were let go due to alleged misalignment with agency needs. Trump has reiterated his desire to shut down the Department of Education entirely.
One affected employee at the General Services Administration, just a month away from completing his probationary period, expressed shock at his dismissal despite receiving excellent performance reviews. “Up until two weeks ago, this was an absolute dream job. Now it’s a nightmare,” he said, citing financial concerns for his family.
The Role of Musk and DOGE
Musk’s cost-cutting initiative, dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been at the center of the restructuring. According to sources, DOGE members have gained access to government agency databases containing sensitive personnel and financial information. The White House defended the initiative, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealing that approximately 75,000 employees have already signed up for voluntary buyouts—equal to 3% of the civilian workforce.
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Trump has tasked Musk and his DOGE team with a drastic downsizing of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce. On Thursday, Gavin Kliger, a top staffer at DOGE, was spotted entering the IRS for the first time. The tax-collecting agency has long been a target of Republican criticism, with claims—unsupported by evidence—that the previous administration weaponized the IRS against small businesses and middle-class Americans.
The full extent of the workforce cuts and their long-term impact on federal services remain to be seen, as the Trump administration moves forward with its controversial restructuring plan.
