Mass Layoffs in U.S. Federal Agencies as Trump and Musk Restructure Government

President Trump and Elon Musk implement large-scale dismissals to streamline federal operations.

The U.S. federal government is undergoing an unprecedented downsizing as President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk accelerate their campaign to overhaul the country's bureaucracy. According to sources familiar with the matter, mass termination notices have been issued across multiple government agencies, primarily targeting newly hired employees still within their probationary period.

In the past 48 hours, hundreds of government workers have received termination emails from the Department of Education, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees federal property and buildings. The exact number of affected employees remains unclear, but this move aligns with Trump’s commitment to reducing federal workforce size and eliminating what he has referred to as the "deep state," a term he uses for bureaucrats he believes are obstructing his policies.

One termination letter sent to at least 45 probationary employees at the SBA stated: "The Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not meet current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment with the Agency."

Similarly, at least 160 newly hired employees at the Department of Education were informed that their continued employment "would not be in the public interest." Trump, who has long advocated for dissolving the Department of Education, reiterated his stance on Wednesday, calling it a "con job" and emphasizing his desire to shut it down entirely.

More than 100 probationary workers at the GSA were also dismissed, sources report. One affected employee, who had been receiving strong performance evaluations and was only a month away from completing probation, expressed shock over the sudden dismissal: "Two weeks ago, this was my dream job. Now, it has turned into a nightmare. I have a mortgage and children to support. This is devastating."

Large-Scale Workforce Reduction Under Trump and Musk’s Initiative

Government data reveals that approximately 280,000 federal employees were hired within the last two years, with many still in their probationary phase. Trump has enlisted Elon Musk and members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly formed agency, to spearhead the downsizing of the federal workforce, which currently consists of 2.3 million civilian employees.

A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management, the agency responsible for overseeing federal human resources, stated that these dismissals align with new government policies encouraging agencies to use the probationary period as an extended job evaluation process rather than a guaranteed path to permanent employment.

The sweeping dismissals have fueled widespread anxiety among federal employees, particularly in Washington, D.C., where thousands now fear their jobs are at risk. The Trump administration continues to face strong opposition from labor unions and Democratic attorneys general, who argue that the layoffs are politically motivated rather than being a necessary measure to improve efficiency. Even some Republican policymakers have raised concerns about the scale and method of the workforce reduction.

Despite these criticisms, Trump has defended the initiative, arguing that excessive government spending, inefficiency, and fraud necessitate drastic action. While there is bipartisan agreement on the need for government reform, Musk’s aggressive approach has drawn scrutiny. Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai via video call, Musk stated, "We need to delete entire agencies."

Expanded Powers for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order significantly increasing DOGE’s authority, mandating federal agencies to cooperate in identifying employees eligible for termination. The order was signed in the Oval Office with Musk present, highlighting the billionaire’s growing influence over government restructuring.

Musk’s team has gained access to personnel and financial databases in at least 15 government agencies. Their restructuring efforts have already led to the effective dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which provides humanitarian aid, and the CFPB, which regulates financial institutions to protect consumers from predatory lending.

Approximately 70 probationary employees at the CFPB received termination notices this week, sparking concerns among full-time staff who fear they may be next. "This has been an incredibly stressful time," said one longtime CFPB employee. "No one knows if they’ll have a job next week."

Federal Court Approves Buyout Plan for Government Employees

Trump secured a significant legal victory on Wednesday when a federal judge ruled that a government worker buyout program could proceed. The White House announced that around 75,000 employees, equivalent to 3% of the federal workforce, have opted into the buyout offer. However, the administration declined to extend the deadline for the buyout program, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, "We believe we’ve hit the numbers we wanted."

As the Trump administration continues its drive to reshape the federal government, the long-term impact of these policies remains uncertain. With Musk’s involvement, the restructuring process is moving at an unprecedented pace, leaving many government workers uncertain about their future employment status.