Mass Layoffs Shake U.S. Federal Workforce as Trump and Musk Push Bureaucratic Overhaul

 Washington, D.C. – In a sweeping move to reduce government bureaucracy, more than 9,500 federal employees were terminated on Friday as part of U.S. President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk’s aggressive campaign to streamline federal operations. The layoffs impacted multiple agencies, including the Departments of Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. Many of the affected employees were probationary staffers in their first year of service, making them particularly vulnerable due to limited employment protections.

The restructuring has also led to the effective shutdown of certain agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where job cuts have extended to fixed-term contract workers. Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing for another wave of layoffs next week, potentially affecting thousands of employees, according to a Reuters report citing sources familiar with the matter. The timing of the IRS cuts has raised concerns, as they could significantly impact tax collection efforts ahead of the April 15 filing deadline.

Trump and Musk’s Buyout Plan Sees Massive Exodus

According to the White House, these layoffs follow the voluntary departure of 75,000 federal employees who accepted a buyout package under Trump and Musk’s workforce reduction plan—equivalent to roughly 3% of the 2.3 million civilian federal workforce. The administration has defended these drastic measures as a necessary response to spiraling government debt, which currently stands at $36 trillion, with a $1.8 trillion deficit recorded last year.

President Trump has repeatedly stated that government spending has been riddled with waste and fraud, necessitating urgent reform. However, while congressional Republicans have largely supported the initiative, Democrats have criticized the move, arguing that Trump is encroaching on the legislature’s constitutional authority over federal budgetary decisions.

Elon Musk’s Expanding Influence in Federal Operations

Questions have also arisen over Musk’s role in the restructuring. As the co-chair of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has gained significant influence within the Trump administration. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the initiative, likening it to a corporate-style financial audit. “These are serious people, going from agency to agency, identifying inefficiencies and best practices,” he told Fox Business Network.

However, concerns are growing over the qualifications of Musk’s team. Reports suggest that many of the DOGE personnel overseeing the layoffs are young engineers with little to no government experience, fueling speculation that the cuts are ideologically driven rather than purely cost-cutting measures.

Federal Workers Express Outrage and Legal Battles Mount

The abrupt layoffs have left many federal workers stunned and uncertain about their futures.

“I've done a lot for my country, and as a veteran, I feel betrayed,” said Nick Gioia, a former Army serviceman who had worked at the Department of Defense for 17 years before joining the USDA’s Economic Research Service in December—only to be terminated this week. “This doesn’t feel like a restructuring effort. It feels like a political game.”

Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents over 100,000 government workers, warned that the administration’s true aim is to dismantle regulatory agencies that oversee industry and finance. “This is about getting the government out of the way of billionaires,” he said. “And that’s exactly why Elon Musk is so excited about it.”

The mass terminations have also triggered legal challenges against Musk and the administration. Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits seeking to block the buyout program, arguing that it undermines civil service protections. Additionally, three federal judges are set to review whether Musk’s team should be granted access to Treasury Department payment systems and sensitive personnel data housed within key agencies such as Health, Consumer Protection, and Labor.

Musk’s Influence Expands as DOGE Operatives Access Government Systems

Since its inception, DOGE personnel have been deployed to at least 16 federal agencies, gaining access to internal government databases containing financial and personnel information. The extent of their access—and the potential implications for privacy and oversight—remain under scrutiny as opposition to Musk’s growing authority within the federal government intensifies.

With another round of cuts looming and legal battles mounting, the Trump administration’s sweeping overhaul of the federal workforce is set to remain a contentious issue in the coming weeks.