The Trump administration has initiated a significant wave of layoffs across various federal agencies, marking a drastic effort to reshape the government bureaucracy. Sources familiar with the situation reported that thousands of employees, primarily those still on probation, have begun receiving termination notices.
The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed it has let go of over 1,000 probationary employees, while the U.S. Forest Service is set to terminate more than 3,000 workers. Termination emails have been dispatched to employees at numerous agencies, including the Department of Education, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the General Services Administration (GSA).
As part of this overhaul, aides from Elon Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have begun their work at various agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This collaboration between Musk and President Trump appears to be expanding as they prepare for further staff reductions at US embassies.
Trump has defended these actions, asserting that the federal government is excessively bloated and that wasteful spending must be curtailed. With approximately $36 trillion in national debt and a $1.8 trillion deficit recorded last year, there is bipartisan acknowledgment of the need for reform within government operations.
Criticism and legal challenges
Despite the administration’s rationale for these layoffs, critics have raised concerns about the abrupt nature of the firings. Many argue that Musk’s influence over these decisions has led to a politically motivated purge rather than one based on performance. According to government data, around 280,000 civilian workers were hired within the last two years, with many still on probation—making them more vulnerable to termination.
Notably, firings at the CFPB have reportedly extended beyond just probationary employees. Sources indicate that dozens of full-time workers with fixed-term contracts have also received notices. This follows a recent round of layoffs where approximately 70 probationary staff members were terminated.
In addition to layoffs at the VA and Forest Service, other agencies are also preparing for cuts. The GSA alone let go of around 100 probationary employees recently, while a worker who had received positive performance reviews was informed he would be dismissed just one month before completing his probation period.
“The Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the current needs,” stated termination letters sent to some SBA employees.
Legal controversies surrounding firings
As these firings unfold, a coalition of 14 states has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Trump’s appointment of Musk was illegal and granted him “unchecked legal authority.” Most civil service employees can only be terminated for poor performance or misconduct; however, probationary employees have fewer protections.
The firings are seen as part of a broader strategy by Trump and Musk to eliminate what they deem unnecessary government functions. Musk has even suggested deleting entire agencies as part of this initiative.
As this situation develops, federal workers remain on edge about potential future cuts. The ongoing layoffs reflect a significant shift in how the federal workforce is managed under the current administration.