President Donald Trump speaks after Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as the Director of National Intelligence in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington:Jim Lo Scalzo/pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies, impacting thousands of probationary employees. This move comes after a judge approved the administration’s federal worker buyout plan, marking a significant step in President Trump’s campaign promise to reduce the size of the federal government.
Key Agencies Affected by Layoffs
The layoffs are reportedly impacting several major federal agencies, including:
- Department of Education
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- General Services Administration
- Small Business Administration
Sources indicate that additional agencies have also been directed to begin layoffs, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Who Is Being Laid Off?
The layoffs primarily target probationary employees—recent hires who have been with their respective agencies for one to two years. These employees have fewer protections compared to their tenured counterparts. As of March 2024, there were approximately 150,000 federal workers (excluding Department of Defense employees) with one year of service or less.
How Employees Were Notified
At some agencies, employees received written notices via email informing them of their termination. At the OPM, probationary workers joined a conference call with a prerecorded message from Acting Director Charles Ezell, who notified them of their layoffs. Approximately 200 employees were on the call, according to sources.
Ezell’s message, obtained by ABC News, stated:
“Good afternoon, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. This is a difficult conversation, and I want to be direct, while also ensuring that you have all the information and support that you need.”
He instructed employees to gather their personal belongings and exit the premises, while expressing hope that they would use the situation as an opportunity for their next career step.
Background: Trump’s Federal Worker Buyout Plan
The layoffs follow the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer, which allowed federal employees to voluntarily resign in exchange for full pay and benefits until September 2025. Over 73,000 federal workers accepted the buyout offer, according to officials.
A judge recently greenlit the administration’s plan, clearing the way for the mass layoffs. This move aligns with President Trump’s long-standing pledge to streamline the federal government and reduce costs.
What This Means for Federal Employees
For probationary employees, the layoffs mean an abrupt end to their federal careers, at least for now. However, the administration has emphasized that affected workers will receive support during the transition, including access to resources for finding new employment.
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