Following the conclusion of the Trump administration's deferred resignation program for federal employees, widespread layoffs have commenced across numerous government agencies. Sources indicate that thousands of employees are expected to be affected by this downsizing effort, which fulfills a campaign promise made by President Trump.
Initially, the layoffs are targeting probationary employees—those who have recently joined the federal workforce within the past one to two years, depending on the specific agency. These employees have fewer protections compared to longer-tenured staff. Data from March 2024 reveals approximately 150,000 federal workers (excluding Defense Department personnel) with one year of service or less.
Agencies impacted by these initial layoffs include the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of Personnel Management, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration, and the Small Business Administration. Additional agencies are also expected to initiate layoffs shortly.
In some cases, affected employees received written notification of their termination via email. At the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a pre-recorded message from the acting director informed probationary employees of their dismissal during a group call. Around 200 employees were reportedly on this call, instructed to gather their belongings and leave the premises. The acting director, Charles Ezell, expressed hope that the laid-off workers would view this as an opportunity for future endeavors.
Prior to the layoffs, OPM, which functions as the federal government's human resources agency, instructed agencies to compile lists of probationary employees. Over 73,000 federal employees reportedly accepted the administration's buyout offer, which provided full pay and benefits until September for those who opted for the deferred resignation.
