The federal government is yet again seeing mass layoffs under Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s efficiency bid. Thousands of federal employees are being laid off under orders from a private citizen and tech billionaire Musk who has set his sights on the federal government since the very beginning. His Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) machinery has been threatening federal employees for weeks with forced layoffs and return to office mandates.
The firings, reported by Reuters and other major U.S. media outlets, are in addition to the roughly 75,000 workers who have taken a buyout that Trump and Musk have offered to get them to leave voluntarily, according to the White House. That equals about 3% of the 2.3 million person civilian workforce.
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Nearly half of the temporary workers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many others at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are being let go, according to sources who spoke to Reuters.
Reportedly, the U.S. Forest Service is firing around 3,400 recent hires, while the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000, people familiar with the plans said on Feb. 14.
Ironically, word is being spread on social media that DOGE could cut nearly $18 billion in excessive spending once it stops subsidies for SpaceX and Tesla—both companies owned and operated by Musk. When asked about him profiting from government contracts, Musk said that he did not personally file these contracts but people at his company did. It is still unclear what he meant by making such an obtuse statement.
Musk and DOGE
Musk has been leading the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new initiative under President Trump aimed at reducing federal spending and improving government operations. The department has proposed controversial measures, such as restructuring federal agencies and eliminating certain ones like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Additionally, DOGE has sought access to sensitive taxpayer data from the IRS, sparking concerns over privacy and security. Legal challenges have arisen, with several state attorneys general opposing the department’s actions. These developments have prompted debates over the potential long-term effects on the U.S. government’s structure and public services.
What mass layoffs in the federal government could mean?
Mass layoffs in the federal government, particularly if driven by initiatives like DOGE, could have widespread and profound effects. The immediate impact would likely be disruptions to essential public services such as social security, public health, and education programs, leading to slower response times and potential reductions in service quality.
The loss of experienced employees could weaken the institutional knowledge and expertise that government agencies rely on to manage complex operations. In some cases, this could result in inefficiencies, increased mistakes, and slower decision-making processes.
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Economically, mass layoffs could strain local economies, especially in regions where government jobs are a major source of employment. This could lead to a rise in unemployment rates and reduced spending in affected communities.
On a broader scale, such layoffs might erode public trust in government, raising concerns about fairness, transparency, and the long-term stability of federal programs. Legal challenges may also arise, especially regarding job protections and the process behind such cuts.