The Trump administration has begun large-scale dismissals of federal employees, targeting multiple agencies as part of a government downsizing effort spearheaded by President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Sources within unions and affected agencies confirmed the layoffs, which have taken place over the past 48 hours.
The dismissals have primarily affected probationary employees at the Education Department, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the General Services Administration (GSA).
According to letters seen by Reuters, employees were informed that their “ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the current needs,” and their performance was deemed insufficient to justify continued employment.
At the Education Department, at least 160 employees received termination notices, stating that their continued employment “would not be in the public interest.”
Meanwhile, around 45 probationary staff at the SBA were dismissed, and approximately 100 employees at the GSA were notified of their termination on Wednesday.
– A large-scale reduction in government workforce –
Trump, who has repeatedly advocated for eliminating the Education Department, reiterated his stance on Wednesday, calling it a “con job” and reaffirming his desire to shut it down.
The layoffs align with the administration’s broader effort to reduce the 2.3 million-strong civilian federal workforce, with Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) overseeing the initiative. The goal is to streamline government operations, and sources indicate that entire agencies may be dismantled as part of the restructuring.
A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stated: “The Trump administration is encouraging agencies to use the probationary period as it was intended: as a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment.”
The push for cost-cutting has sparked panic among federal workers, with protests erupting in Washington, D.C. Despite facing lawsuits from labor unions and Democratic attorneys-general, Trump remains steadfast in his position, arguing that the federal government is bloated and wasteful.
“We all feel that we will be next,” said a career employee at the CFPB, which has already seen about 70 probationary employees dismissed and has since been shut down, sending full-time staff home.
– Executive Order expands DOGE’s power –
On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order granting DOGE expanded authority and directing all federal agencies to collaborate with Musk’s team in identifying potential job cuts. This move comes as the administration intensifies its efforts to reshape the federal workforce.
As part of the downsizing initiative, the government is also offering a buyout program. A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the buyout offer could proceed, marking a significant legal victory for the administration.
According to OPM, around 75,000 workers—roughly 3% of the federal workforce—have already signed up for the buyout.
Musk’s team has gained access to sensitive personnel and financial information across at least 15 government agencies, accelerating the reduction in federal employees.
Notably, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the CFPB have already been significantly hollowed out.
Trump has defended the aggressive approach, stating that cutting bureaucracy is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce government waste. While there is bipartisan agreement on the need for government reform, critics argue that Musk’s involvement grants him excessive influence over federal operations.
With 280,000 civilian government workers still in their probationary period, the layoffs could continue in the coming months, reshaping the federal workforce on an unprecedented scale.
