(Image Credit: IMAGN) Carney McCullough joins people rally at the U.S. Department of Education on March 14, 2025, after lay-offs and the threat of President Trump closing the agency.
Washington D.C. – Federal agencies have begun executing large-scale job cuts and the elimination of government functions in accordance with President Donald Trump’s vision to significantly reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The effort, spearheaded by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is already impacting thousands of federal employees.
The Department of Education is moving forward with plans to eliminate nearly 50% of its workforce, cutting approximately 1,300 positions through reductions in force (RIFs). An additional 600 employees have accepted voluntary separation incentive payments (VSIP) or deferred resignation offers. Affected workers will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21, receiving full pay and benefits until June 9.
Similarly, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aims to reduce its workforce by 80,000 employees to return to 2019 staffing levels. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already begun offering voluntary buyouts as part of its plan to slash 7,000 jobs. The Department of Defense (DoD) is targeting a 5-8% civilian workforce reduction, impacting at least 55,000 jobs, with managers expected to submit final plans by March 20.
Beyond job reductions, federal agencies are also consolidating office spaces. The General Services Administration (GSA) and DOGE plan to shed up to 25% of the government’s 360 million square feet of real estate, closing Social Security buildings, IRS taxpayer assistance centers, and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices nationwide.
Tens of thousands of probationary employees—many of whom are either new to government service or recently reassigned—have already been terminated. However, these firings have been met with legal challenges, with federal judges ordering widespread job reinstatements, citing failure to comply with required procedures.
Federal agencies must follow strict legal guidelines for workforce reductions, outlined in a 119-page Office of Personnel Management (OPM) handbook. Before implementing RIFs, agencies are required to offer early retirement options (VERA) and voluntary buyouts (VSIP). Employees subject to RIFs must receive 60 days’ notice unless OPM grants a waiver for a 30-day notice period.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has effectively been shuttered, with most of its contracts canceled. Other agencies targeted for downsizing include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which plans to cut over 1,000 jobs, and the General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service, which has already eliminated more than 1,000 positions.
Additionally, the Trump administration announced that seven more federal entities, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the United States Agency for Global Media, will see significant cuts or elimination.
By April 14, agencies must submit detailed plans outlining how they will maintain efficiency while reducing staff and resources. Agencies providing direct services to the public must also demonstrate how job cuts will lead to improved service delivery. Monthly progress reports will track implementation, with full completion expected by the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
While the administration argues these measures will create a leaner, more effective government, critics warn that drastic cuts could disrupt essential public services, impact economic stability, and lead to long-term inefficiencies. The coming months will determine the ultimate impact of Trump’s workforce optimization initiative.
