Major Federal Layoffs Coming? Donald Trump Directs Departments to Prepare

The Trump administration in the United States on Wednesday ordered heads of federal departments and agencies to prepare to initiate more large-scale layoffs of workers, USA Today reported. The memo sent by the Personnel Management and Management and Budget offices indicates a major escalation in President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's campaign to reduce the size of the US government.

A new memo has directed agencies to submit plans by March 13 for a significant reduction in staffing for a federal workforce already reeling from waves of layoffs and program cuts by Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. It also notified federal departments to slash and consolidate duplicative positions, reduce their property footprints and produce reorganisation plans for their agencies. However, the order did not specify the number of new layoffs.

"Costly, Inefficient, and Deeply in Debt"

"The federal government is costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt," the memo from OMB director Russ Vought and OPM acting director Charles Ezell read. "At the same time, it is not producing results for the American public. Instead, tax dollars are being siphoned off to fund unproductive and unnecessary programs that benefit radical interest groups while hurting hardworking American citizens," it added.

Furthermore, the issued memo instructs federal departments to submit new organisational charts of positions by April 14 and any proposed relocations of agency offices or headquarters from Washington to less-costly parts of the country.

The "Great Firing" Targets Federal Workforce

The mass layoffs of federal workers is majorly focused on either fresh hires or promoted probationary workers, who have less tenure in their current roles and enjoy fewer job protections. However, the next phase is expected to extend to longer-serving civil servants, marking a broader shake-up of the federal workforce. It is an effort guided by billionaire tech entrepreneur Musk, the report said.

Exemptions in the order include US Postal Service workers, positions deemed necessary for law enforcement, national security and border and immigration obligations as well as military personnel in the armed forces.

After the first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the President also revealed that they are exploring cutting 65% of the Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, Musk emphasised that the goal is to retain employees performing essential functions effectively.