Trump’s Mass Layoffs Impact Nearly 10,000 Federal Employees

Trump's Administration Orders Mass Firings in Federal Agencies, Affecting Thousands of Workers Across the U.S.

In a move that has shaken the federal workforce, President Donald Trump, alongside Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has initiated a drastic round of layoffs, targeting nearly 10,000 employees within days. The significant firings, which include employees from various U.S. government departments, follow a directive issued by the Trump administration ordering the dismissal of nearly all probationary workers with less than a year of service across federal agencies.

According to a report by Reuters on February 14, 2025, the layoffs primarily affect employees in departments such as the Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. These departments have been instructed to let go of probationary workers, which includes those with less than one year of service.

In specific terms, the Department of the Interior has reportedly laid off around 2,300 workers, while the Department of Energy has seen dismissals ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 employees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, which is part of the Agriculture Department, saw a staggering 3,400 workers laid off, representing 10% of its entire workforce. The Department of Veterans Affairs was also significantly affected, with over 1,000 positions cut. Other departments such as the Department of Education, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also reported job cuts, with the total number of layoffs across all departments estimated to exceed 9,500 and possibly reaching 10,000.

Further reports revealed that even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, saw 1,300 employees — approximately one-tenth of its workforce — receive layoff notices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also reduced its staffing, firing 70 probationary employees along with numerous contract workers.

The layoffs were part of a broader strategy set forth by the Trump administration to streamline federal operations. Initially, the plan was to reduce the federal workforce through voluntary retirements. However, the number of voluntary applications fell short of expectations, with only 75,000 applications received. In response, Trump authorized more aggressive action to trim the workforce by firing a significant portion of probationary staff.

Employees who were affected by these layoffs have reported feeling blindsided and upset by the rapid and impersonal nature of the dismissals. Many received their layoff notifications through pre-recorded videos or group calls, with some workers being asked to leave their offices within 30 minutes of receiving their termination notices. This abruptness has left many wondering about the long-term impacts on their careers and the morale within federal agencies.

In addition to the initial round of layoffs, reports have emerged indicating that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to lay off thousands of employees next week. The total number of federal probationary workers affected by the layoffs could potentially be as high as 200,000, according to some estimates.

President Trump’s decision to push ahead with large-scale job cuts underscores his ongoing efforts to reduce government spending and improve the efficiency of federal agencies. The situation raises important questions about the future of government employment in the U.S., as many federal employees are left uncertain about the stability of their jobs. With the political climate continuing to evolve, it remains to be seen how these actions will impact public opinion and the administration's relationship with its workforce.

This series of firings marks one of the most significant shake-ups within the federal workforce in recent years, illustrating the Trump administration’s focus on efficiency and cost-cutting measures. However, it also highlights the personal toll on workers who have lost their jobs in an unpredictable and tumultuous environment. The ripple effects of these layoffs will likely be felt across government agencies for some time.