Deadline looms for federal agencies to submit mass layoff plans as Trump admin guts ‘bloated’ workforce

Federal agencies are in the process of submitting layoff plans to the White House and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline and reduce the size of the federal government. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 11 instructing agency leaders to prepare for large-scale reductions in force, with a focus on eliminating nonessential roles and offices that were suspended or closed by the administration.

The order specified that the layoffs should not impact positions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement. Agencies were given until March 13 to submit their plans for complying with the order, with the Office of Management and Budget and OPM providing guidance to agency heads on the process.

Some agencies have already announced their plans to reduce staff. The Department of Education revealed that it would be terminating nearly 50% of its staff, totaling around 1,300 employees. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the reductions were aimed at directing resources towards students, parents, and teachers to improve the education system.

Other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NASA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, have also announced layoffs or office closures as part of their reorganization efforts. The IRS, CIA, and Pentagon have also begun terminating employees, with a focus on probationary staff who have not yet secured permanent positions.

Cabinet secretaries and agency leaders are working with the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to implement the cuts and reduce spending. The administration had previously offered buyout packages to federal employees, with approximately 75,000 accepting the offer.

The layoff plans are part of the administration’s broader efforts to trim the federal workforce and cut spending. While some critics have raised concerns about the impact on the labor market, President Trump has emphasized the need to prioritize high-paying manufacturing jobs over government positions. He also highlighted his belief in giving states more control over education policy, arguing that this approach would improve academic performance and save money.

Overall, the administration is focused on reshaping the federal government to be more efficient and effective, with a goal of delivering better results for the American public. The deadline for agencies to submit their layoff plans underscores the administration’s commitment to carrying out these reforms and reducing the size of the federal government.