President Trump's administration and Elon Musk's government efficiency have been working to cut the federal workforce by at least 10% since January.
in Presidential OrderTrump has instructed the head of government to hire no more than one employee for every four employees fired or quit. These leaders are being told to plan a massive layoff.
Let's take a look at how many federal workers have been fired due to the actions taken by the Trump administration.
What is Trump's federal acquisition program?
The new administration, together with Doge and Musk, has created a federal acquisition program that will give government employees the option to resign immediately, but will provide the option to pay benefits until October. As of February 13, 77,000 employees had accepted the offer, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“So, congratulations and congratulations to the 77,000 people on an eight-month holiday,” Leavitt told NewsNation.
Nicholas Detter, a former Agriculture Department employee, told News Nation that he was fired despite accepting the acquisition by February 5th. He said he received an email saying he would be fired immediately without explanation behind the end. The Human Resources Administration (OPM) said it was an accident.
“We're saving hundreds of millions of dollars to taxpayers through this acquisition,” Leavitt told NewsNation's Markie Martin. “When we think about the overall costs… we're saving American taxpayers money at the end of the day, which makes the government more efficient.”
Probationary Period: Government leaders have been told to start laying off employees
On February 13, OPM officials met with government leaders and ordered them to begin firing employees who had been on probation for more than a year since being hired. However, federal employees usually continue on probation one to two years after being hired, depending on the agency.
The move could affect more than 200,000 federal employees, but the exact number is unknown. This differs from previous directives a few days before the agency was told to remove these employees only if the agency was also considered a poor performer.
The US Government Employee Federation has said the organization will fight layoffs and claim it will hinder government performance.
“The administration abused probationary period and fired politically driven mass shootings, targeting employees not for performance, but for being hired before Trump took office,” AFGE's Everett Kelly The president said in a statement.
What federal agencies have been affected by Trump's layoffs, Doge?
Veterans Affairs Bureau
As of February 14, the Veterans Affairs Bureau (VA) had fired more than 1,000 employees as part of a federal layoff. In a statement, the VA said all those fired had worked in the department for less than two years.
The department said these layoffs:
- Saves over $98 million a year.
- It will allow the government to redirect money towards healthcare, benefits and services of VA beneficiaries.
“We currently have over 43,000 probation employees across the department, with the majority exempt from today's HR action, as they serve in mission-critical positions. – Mainly supporting benefits and services for VA beneficiaries. – Or it will be subject to a collective bargaining agreement,” the VA statement said.
File – Seals are found on June 21, 2013 at Washington's Department of Veterans Affairs. (AP Photos/Charles Dara Pack, File)
Some disagree with these layoffs, including Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.). In a statement, Murray said there are VA researchers in Washington. – Not because they don't desperately need their work, but Trump and Elon. [Musk] They decided to fire these researchers on a whim. ”
Ministry of Defense
Now the Pentagon is bracing for layoffs, USA Today reportsto send the Department of Defense to Trump with a list of probation employees.
According to NPR, there is a memo that is allegedly stating the Doge and Trump administration I want to cut 8% of my workforce At the Department of Defense. This could include all armed services, but at this point it is unknown.
Education Department
The Washington Post reported Doge on Friday Reduce contracts, staff and grants Education department. These contracts include contracts from the Institute of Educational Sciences, and staff have questioned whether this is legal.
“We are completely unstable,” an employee at the Institute of Educational Sciences told the post. “It really prevents us from serving the mission we thought we were implementing.”
At least 50 employees on probation last week were fired for no reason, according to union leaders. Reports from the post say managers were told to find workers who could change to a new job situation that would take away their workers' protections.
At least $900 million worth of contracts have been cut from the education sector, according to department spokesman Maddie Biederman. It is unknown if the total is correct.
Energy Division
According to PoliticoEnergy Division (DOE) officials have told program leaders to notify employees who are expected to be fired. This could include up to 2,000 employees, DOE officials told Politico under anonymity.
Ministry of Health and Welfare
Hundreds of employees from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health received notification of fire this week. According to NPR.
NPR spoke with half a dozen current staff members who wanted to remain anonymous. The number of employees fired at the NIH and CDC is lower than expected, but some CDC staff have told NPR they are afraid there will be more cuts coming. NPR also reported:
- So far, approximately 750 CDC employees have received cancellation notices.
- CDC leaders have told staff that 10% of their workforce will be cut, bringing up to around 1,300 employees.
At NIH, between 1,000 and 1,200 employees received notification of fire over the weekend. NPR reported that authorities were able to save some positions as they appear to be needed.
Ministry of Homeland Security
NBC News reported Monday that the Trump administration is ready to fire hundreds of high-level employees in the Department of Homeland Security. Sources told NBC News Trump has a “centralized” plan and a list of people who are fired.
However, more general cuts began in the sector last week. This includes cutting down on Federal Emergency Management Agency employees, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Agency, and cybersecurity and infrastructure security agencies.
Internal Revenue Agency
According to Nexstar affiliate WDCWthe IRS is planning to fire thousands of employees soon. It is not clear how many employees will be fired, but they will be employees during probation.
IRS employees have been previously told they are unable to take the federal acquisition offer for Trump during tax season.
Has federal employees returned after Doge Layoffs?
The US Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that many employees who were working on the government's response to the avian flu outbreak had been mistakenly sent layoff notices.
In a statementUSDA said they are working to withdraw those letters.
“USDA's frontline position in food safety and inspection services is considered public safety positions and continues to employ the necessary labor to ensure food safety and proper supply to fulfill its legal duties. “We will,” the statement said.
According to the country of India todayabout 950 employees of the Indian Health Department of Health and Human Services, were told they would be fired last week. Then, a few hours later, they were told they would no longer be fired.





