WASHINGTON: In a significant move to streamline the federal workforce, President Donald Trump, backed by his adviser Elon Musk, has dismissed over 9,500 government employees. The layoffs, spanning various agencies, impact departments responsible for public land management, military veteran support, and other critical services.
The mass firings affected personnel across the Departments of Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. Many of those let go were probationary employees in their first year of service, a category that carries fewer job protections. Additionally, some agencies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, were nearly shut down, with term-contract employees also losing their positions.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly set to lay off thousands of employees in the coming week, which could place additional strain on operations as the April 15 tax-filing deadline approaches. These terminations, first reported by Reuters, are in addition to the approximately 75,000 workers who accepted a voluntary buyout program initiated by Trump and Musk, reducing the federal workforce by roughly 3%.
Trump has consistently advocated for cutting government spending, citing inefficiencies and waste. With the national debt exceeding $36 trillion and a budget deficit of $1.8 trillion last year, there is bipartisan consensus on the need for fiscal reform. However, congressional Democrats argue that these layoffs encroach upon the legislative branch’s control over federal expenditures. Meanwhile, Republicans, who hold the majority in both chambers, have largely backed the administration’s actions.
Critics have expressed concerns about Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s administration, particularly in overseeing government downsizing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Musk’s approach, comparing it to an organizational audit aimed at improving efficiency. “These are highly capable individuals conducting agency reviews to identify best practices,” Bessent told Fox Business Network.
Despite reassurances, many affected workers feel abandoned. Nick Gioia, a veteran who served in the Army before working for the Department of Defense and later the USDA’s Economic Research Service, was among those dismissed. “I dedicated years of my life to serving my country, and now I feel completely betrayed,” he said.
Union leaders believe the cuts disproportionately target agencies that regulate industries and financial sectors. Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, noted, “This effort isn’t just about trimming government—it’s about reducing oversight that impacts powerful industries, which explains why Musk is so invested.”
Some of the most controversial layoffs occurred within the Department of Energy, where between 1,200 and 2,000 employees were dismissed. This included 325 workers from the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the country’s nuclear stockpile. However, some of these terminations were later reversed to retain essential personnel. The Interior Department, responsible for managing 500 million acres of public land and overseeing oil and gas leases, lost around 2,300 employees. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was also heavily impacted, cutting nearly one-third of its staff, according to the Associated Press.
The administration’s layoffs have sparked internal disagreements, with some Trump aides growing frustrated over the rapid and uncoordinated execution of Musk’s workforce reduction strategy. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is among those who have voiced concerns, according to sources.
Beyond the immediate job cuts, Trump and Musk are pushing to dismantle civil service protections, freeze foreign aid, and downsize agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Federal worker unions have launched legal challenges against the buyout program, and several judges are set to rule on whether Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should have access to sensitive Treasury Department data.
Musk’s influence extends across at least 16 government agencies, where his team has reportedly accessed personnel and financial systems while sending employees home. In response, the Treasury Department’s inspector general has initiated an audit to assess the security risks posed by this restructuring effort.
