The Trump administration, in collaboration with adviser Elon Musk, continued efforts to reduce the federal workforce on Friday, resulting in thousands of layoffs across multiple agencies. The move impacts workers responsible for securing nuclear weapons, managing public lands, and providing care for military veterans.
Sources told *Reuters* that between 1,200 and 2,000 employees at the Department of Energy were laid off, including staff overseeing the nation’s nuclear stockpile. An additional 2,300 workers were dismissed from the Interior Department, which manages 500 million acres of public land, including more than 60 national parks and offshore oil and gas leases. The Department of Agriculture also saw an undisclosed number of job losses, sources said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to lose nearly 1,300 workers, accounting for one-third of its staff, according to *The Associated Press*. These cuts contribute to a broader reduction targeting agencies such as Veterans Affairs, Education, and the Small Business Administration.
Officials from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), responsible for overseeing federal hiring, advised agencies to terminate probationary employees during a Thursday meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter. Government data indicates that of the 2.3 million civilian federal employees, approximately 280,000 were hired in the past two years, with most still on probation and thus more vulnerable to layoffs.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has also seen terminations beyond probationary employees, sources said, with fixed-term contract workers among those let go.
President Donald Trump has defended the cuts, arguing that the federal government is bloated and wasteful. The U.S. government carries $36 trillion in debt and ran a $1.8 trillion deficit last year.
However, congressional Democrats argue that Trump’s actions infringe on legislative authority over federal spending. Despite Republican control of both chambers, some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the widespread job losses.
“I take Secretary Collins at his word when he says there will be no impact to the delivery of care, benefits, and services for veterans with this plan,” said Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, referring to Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. The department confirmed more than 1,000 layoffs on Thursday.
The full scope of layoffs remains unclear, but estimates suggest that more than 9,500 employees across various federal departments and agencies lost their jobs this week, according to multiple reports.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has played a central role in the restructuring, using his influence in the Trump administration to accelerate cuts. Critics have questioned his approach, describing it as overly aggressive and lacking in coordination.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed concerns, comparing Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to a financial audit.
“These are serious people conducting audits across agencies and looking for best practices,” Bessent told *Fox Business Network*, dismissing concerns over the speed and severity of the layoffs.
Musk is reportedly relying on a team of young engineers with limited government experience to lead the restructuring, with decisions appearing to be guided more by ideological goals than cost-cutting measures. This has led to growing frustration within the White House, including among Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, sources told *Reuters*.
Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents over 100,000 workers, expects Musk and the administration to focus next on regulatory agencies.
“This is about reducing government oversight on industry and wealthy individuals, which explains why Musk is so involved,” Lenkart said.
Beyond layoffs, Trump and Musk have introduced a voluntary buyout program for federal employees, aiming to reduce the workforce further. Approximately 75,000 workers have accepted the offer, representing about 3% of civilian federal employees.
Some remaining workers have expressed concern about their job security. “I decided to roll the dice and stick around,” said a General Services Administration employee, who requested anonymity. “It’s unsettling, to say the least.”
Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits to block the buyout program and mass terminations. The American Federation of Government Employees announced legal action against the firings of probationary workers on Thursday.
A lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 14 states challenges Musk’s appointment and seeks to bar him from further government actions. Additional legal battles involve data privacy concerns, as Musk’s team has gained access to government computer systems containing sensitive personnel and financial data.
Three federal judges will review lawsuits regarding DOGE’s access to Treasury Department payment systems and other sensitive information from health, labor, and consumer protection agencies. The Treasury Department’s inspector general has launched an audit into system security following a congressional request.
DOGE has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the mass layoffs, but an OPM spokesperson stated that the firings align with newly implemented government policies.
