Trump, Musk fire nearly 10,000 workers in stepped up assault on US agencies

In a significant effort to reduce the size of the federal government, President Donald Trump and his advisor, tech billionaire Elon Musk, recently orchestrated 9,500 layoffs while 75,000 employees have opted for buyouts. The cuts primarily affected probationary employees with less than a year of service, who have fewer job protections.

The layoffs span multiple government agencies, including the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Education, and the Small Business Administration. According to Reuters, officials from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) advised agencies on Thursday to dismiss probationary workers as part of a broader restructuring.

Additionally, job cuts at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) extended beyond probationary employees, with some contract workers also receiving termination notices.

The layoffs have sparked backlash from federal employee unions and critics, who argue that abrupt terminations could disrupt essential public services. Some workers were reportedly given as little as 30 minutes' notice to clear their desks. Legal challenges are expected as concerns grow over the impact on agencies responsible for tax collection, scientific research, and national security.

A push for efficiency amid growing national debt

The Trump administration has defended the workforce reductions as necessary to curb government inefficiency, citing widespread waste and fraud. The U.S. government currently faces a staggering $36 trillion debt and ran a $1.8 trillion deficit last year, reinforcing bipartisan calls for fiscal reform.

Agencies Hit the Hardest

Department of the Interior

• 2,300 employees laid off, including 800 from the Bureau of Land Management
• The agency manages 500 million acres of public lands, including national parks

Department of Energy

• 1,200 to 2,000 layoffs, including 300 from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Some layoffs were reversed to retain essential nuclear security staff

Department of Agriculture

• 3,400 employees dismissed, affecting the U.S. Forest Service and agricultural research agencies
• The department employs nearly 100,000 people

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• The CDC laid off 1,300 employees—about 10% of its workforce
• HHS oversees Medicare, Medicaid, the NIH, and the FDA

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

• The agency has been largely shut down under Trump's directive
• 70 probationary employees and dozens of contract workers were dismissed

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

• More than 1,000 employees laid off
• The VA serves millions of military veterans and operates over 1,500 healthcare facilities

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

• All probationary employees dismissed in a group call, affecting about 100 workers
• OPM manages hiring and human resources for the federal government

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• At least 45 employees terminated
• The SBA supports small businesses and entrepreneurs

Department of Education

• At least 160 recent hires dismissed
• Trump has proposed dismantling the department, but congressional approval is required

General Services Administration (GSA)

• 100 employees received termination letters
• The agency manages federal real estate and government contracts

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• The IRS is expected to lay off thousands of workers next week
• The agency enforces tax laws and collects federal revenue

Despite the controversy, Trump and Musk remain committed to their goal of reducing the federal workforce, a move they claim is necessary to streamline government operations and address the growing fiscal crisis.