Agency takes DOGE’s mission to heart with all-hands memo ‘Reduction in force’
Fox News Digital has obtained exclusive information regarding the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. In a recent development, over 12,000 employees at the General Services Administration (GSA) have been notified of a “reduction in force” in an agency-wide email sent out on Monday evening.
The memo, drafted by acting GSA administrator Stephen Ehikian, expressed gratitude to those employees who voluntarily resigned from the agency as part of the first phase of staff reduction. The email also outlined the next steps in the process, which are in line with the Presidential Executive Order issued on February 11, 2025. The agency is seeking approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to implement a Reduction in Force (RIF) and potentially obtain a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA).
The email concluded by thanking the affected employees for their service to the nation and ensuring a fair and dignified departure process. A source familiar with the situation revealed that initially, 30-40 employees will be impacted by the reduction as the agency aims for a focused approach to minimize errors. Bargaining unit employees are not expected to be affected, and the process will be targeted at select offices rather than the entire agency.
The GSA is also exploring the possibility of offering severance or discontinued services annuities as part of the reduction process. A spokesperson for the agency emphasized their commitment to treating all employees respectfully and fairly in accordance with applicable laws and agreements.
The executive order cited in the memo aims to “restore accountability to the American public” and initiate a transformation of the federal bureaucracy by eliminating waste, bloat, and insularity. The administration’s goal is to deliver a more cost-effective service to taxpayers and streamline government operations.
As the GSA navigates through this period of transition, it remains dedicated to fulfilling its duties of managing federal real estate and procuring goods and services. The agency, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 11 regional offices, is taking proactive steps to align with the administration’s mandate for government efficiency and accountability.
