DOGE staffers have resigned in response to Elon Musk’s threat to federal workers to justify their jobs or face losing them. The Trump administration has directed federal departments and agencies to prepare for “large-scale reductions in force” by March 13 as part of an effort to cut the federal workforce. The memo from OMB Director Russ Vought and OPM Acting Director Charles Ezell cited the need to reduce the government’s cost, inefficiency, and debt. The first round of firings focused on probationary workers, but the new reductions are expected to target federal employees with full civil service protection.
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency, is guiding the effort to streamline the federal government. He emphasized the importance of keeping essential and effective employees on the payroll, while removing those in non-essential roles. The layoffs are part of President Trump’s plan to cut government spending and eliminate unnecessary programs that do not benefit the American public.
During a Cabinet meeting, Trump mentioned conversations with an EPA administrator about potentially cutting 65% of the EPA workforce. The administration plans to expedite the process of reducing the federal workforce to eliminate those who are not performing their jobs effectively. The layoffs align with an executive order signed by Trump in February. The exact number of layoffs across federal departments is unclear, as the White House has not provided a government-wide total despite repeated requests.
