The Trump administration has mandated federal agencies to devise plans for reducing their staff, marking a significant shift in the structure of American government. This directive was highlighted in a memo circulated on Wednesday, aimed at cutting down the size of the federal workforce. President Trump has criticized the existing government size, labeling it as inefficient and burdensome to his policy goals, and has already dismissed numerous probationary employees. The focus is now shifting to career officials who have civil service protections.
“We need to streamline government. We’re oversize and inefficient. There are many employees not fulfilling their roles,” Trump stated at the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. This move is likely to have nationwide impacts, with the majority of federal employees located outside the Washington region. As a result, essential services like patent approvals, food inspections, and park maintenance may experience disruptions, contingent on the nature of the job cuts.
This plan anticipates resistance from labor unions, Democratic leaders, and other organizations who have previously managed to impede Trump’s efforts through legal action. Concerns among Republicans about the effects of these drastic cuts on their constituencies are also growing. By March 13, agencies must present their proposals for a “reduction in force” that would not only involve layoffs but also eliminate certain positions permanently, potentially leading to substantial modifications in government operations.
Further proposals are expected by April 14, detailing how agencies will consolidate, increase efficiency, and possibly relocate to less costly areas than Washington. The intent is for these plans to be enacted by September 30. Administration spokesman justified the initiative as a cost-cutting mechanism with ideological objectives.
“The federal government is hefty, ineffective, and deeply indebted. It’s failing to deliver results to the American public,” read the memo by Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Charles Ezell, Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management. According to them, tax dollars are wasted on unproductive and unnecessary programs that they claim serve special interest groups at the expense of working Americans.
Vought, who helped craft a conservative manifesto for Trump’s second term, advocates for centralizing authority under the presidency and dismantling federal bureaucracy. “It’s not possible to save our nation without some confrontation,” Vought mentioned during a podcast hosted by Trump ally Stephen Bannon.
Kevin Owen, an attorney defending federal employees, equated the administration’s agenda to the disruptions typical of government shutdowns during congressional budget impasses. “This appears to be a blueprint for a significant and startling reduction of the federal workforce that I don’t believe Americans are ready for,” Owen observed. “It will incapacitate numerous government operations.” He added that the administration prioritizes speed over precision in restructuring the government. “The strategy seems to be causing the disruption and facing lawsuits; even if a court rules against them eventually, they will have achieved their interim goals.”
While the memo lacks specific reduction targets, Trump noted that the Environmental Protection Agency’s workforce might shrink by 65%. He hinted at these changes in an executive order signed alongside Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur leading the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The order instructed agency heads to “rapidly prepare for major reductions in force.” Several departments have already initiated this procedure. For instance, the General Services Administration, responsible for federal real estate, informed its personnel of an ongoing reduction, promising a fair and dignified exit process.
Exemptions apply to law enforcement, national security, public safety, military roles, and the U.S. Postal Service positions. The memo preceded Trump’s meeting with Cabinet members including Musk, who, adorned with a “Make America Great Again” campaign hat, attended the meeting.
Musk presented himself as “humble tech support” for the government and spoke of his cost-reduction campaign in urgent terms. “Without these changes, America will face bankruptcy,” he warned. Musk has stirred controversy within the federal workforce, demanding employees justify their roles or face termination, although OPM later clarified this was not mandatory. He labeled the inquiry as a “pulse check,” questioning the real value and productivity of the employees.
Before the meeting, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, informed reporters that every Cabinet secretary adheres to DOGE’s guidance. “They’ll update efforts and policies at their agencies, aligning with campaign promises,” added Leavitt.
