Trump & Musk’s Overhaul: 10,000 Federal Workers Fired

Mass Layoffs Hit Federal Agencies Amid Trump-Musk Bureaucratic Shakeup

In a bold move aimed at downsizing the U.S. government, President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk have spearheaded an aggressive campaign to cut federal jobs, resulting in the termination of nearly 10,000 employees across key government agencies. This latest round of layoffs, primarily targeting the Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services Departments, underscores the administration’s push to streamline government operations and eliminate what they describe as wasteful spending.

The Largest Workforce Reduction in U.S. Government History

The mass terminations are part of a larger initiative that has already seen over 75,000 workers accept voluntary buyouts, amounting to nearly 3% of the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce. Trump has repeatedly argued that the government has grown too bloated, emphasizing that excessive spending and fraud have contributed to the nation’s staggering $36 trillion debt and $1.8 trillion deficit.

While many Republicans in Congress have supported these cuts, Democrats and federal employee unions are raising alarms, claiming that the White House is overstepping its authority and dismantling crucial government functions.

Key Agencies Affected by the Layoffs

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & National Institutes of Health (NIH): Almost 50% of probationary workers have been let go, raising concerns about public health preparedness.
• National Park Service & U.S. Forest Service: Around 4,400 employees have lost their jobs, including 1,000 park rangers and 3,400 forest management workers—potentially endangering wildfire prevention efforts.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Reports suggest that thousands of tax workers will be fired in the coming week, which could lead to disruptions just ahead of the April 15 tax deadline.
• Department of Energy (DOE) & National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): Although 325 nuclear security personnel were laid off, some of these terminations have been partly rescinded due to security concerns.

Musk’s Role in Government Restructuring

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a close Trump ally, has played a pivotal role in shaping the layoffs through his newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s strategy, often described as a “tech-driven audit”, involves young engineers with little government experience evaluating agencies and recommending sweeping job cuts.

While Musk and his supporters claim that these reductions will create a leaner, more effective government, critics argue that the cuts are ideologically driven rather than cost-saving.

Backlash from Fired Workers and Federal Unions

Former federal employees have expressed shock and dismay over the abrupt layoffs.

🚨 Nick Gioia, a former Department of Defense worker and U.S. Army veteran, described feeling “betrayed by my country” after losing his new job at the USDA Economic Research Service just two months after joining.

🏛️ Steve Lenkart, Executive Director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, criticized Musk’s involvement.

Several federal unions have sued the government, attempting to block the buyout plan and prevent further terminations.

Concerns Over National Security and Government Services

The rapid pace of these layoffs has also triggered legal challenges and national security concerns:

✅ A federal judge in New York extended a restraining order preventing Musk’s DOGE team from accessing sensitive Treasury Department payment systems.
✅ The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has temporarily halted firings following a court order, delaying expected mass layoffs.
✅ Environmental groups warn that cutting thousands of forest service workers could make wildfire prevention efforts “virtually impossible.”

What’s Next? More Cuts on the Horizon?

Despite legal challenges, Trump and Musk remain steadfast in their efforts to further reduce government spending. Insiders suggest that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Labor, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could be next in line for major staffing cuts.

As federal employees fight to retain their jobs and critics warn of unintended consequences, the Trump-Musk restructuring strategy is shaping up to be one of the most controversial overhauls of the U.S. government in modern history.