The Trump administration has dismissed tens of thousands of federal employees in its first month, implementing large-scale reductions that affect nearly every federal agency. The White House and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have ordered agencies to lay off probationary workers, freeze federal grants, and prepare for further cuts.
While Washington, D.C. is home to 20% of the federal workforce, over 80% of affected employees live outside the capital region. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported that approximately 75,000 employees accepted a “deferred resignation” offer, which promised financial incentives for voluntary departures. However, a federal judge temporarily blocked the program following legal challenges from labor unions.
Layoffs Across Federal Agencies
The administration has dismissed thousands of probationary employees—those with less than a year on the job who lack civil service protections. As of March 2024, OPM data indicated that 220,000 federal workers were in this category.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Over 1,000 employees, including researchers working on cancer treatment and opioid addiction, were let go.
- Defense Department: The Pentagon announced a 5,400-person workforce reduction, with expectations of cutting 5% to 8% of its civilian employees.
- Education Department: At least 39 employees were fired, and nearly $900 million in cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences resulted in 169 terminated contracts.
- Energy Department: Hundreds of employees working on nuclear weapons programs were briefly dismissed before most were reinstated.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lost nearly 700 employees, with additional cuts at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): 405 probationary staffers were laid off, including over 200 at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and more than 130 from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The agency is expected to lay off thousands of employees during tax season, though the exact number remains unclear.
- National Park Service: About 1,000 newly hired employees were fired, while 5,000 seasonal jobs were reinstated.
Sweeping Policy Changes and Funding Freezes
The administration halted most foreign aid, temporarily suspending thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian and security programs. Although some exemptions were granted, a federal judge later ordered a pause on the funding freeze.
Additionally, the White House imposed a review of federal grants and loans, potentially affecting trillions of dollars in funding for healthcare, education, and research programs. “Federal resources should not be used for Marxist equity, transgenderism, or green new deal policies,” read a memo from the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, Matthew Vaeth. Democrats and independent groups have challenged the legality of the freeze, arguing that Congress had already authorized the funds.
Inspector General and Justice Department Purges
The administration dismissed at least 17 inspectors general across federal agencies, including some appointed during Trump’s first term. “It’s a very common thing to do,” Trump stated, defending the move. However, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called it a “chilling purge,” while Republican Senator Lindsey Graham acknowledged the firings might have violated the law.
The Justice Department also dismissed more than a dozen career prosecutors involved in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump. Typically, career employees remain in their roles across administrations.
State Department Shakeup
Many senior career diplomats, including those in politically appointed positions, were asked to leave the State Department. The full scope of the shakeup remains unclear.
The Trump administration’s workforce reductions mark one of the most extensive purges in federal history, affecting essential government functions across multiple sectors.