The Pentagon announced plans to lay off 5,400 civilian probationary workers starting next week, marking the first phase of anticipated larger cuts within the Defense Department, which employs over 945,000 civilians. Senior officials indicated a potential reduction of 5 to 8 percent of the workforce to improve efficiency and align with presidential priorities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exempted 17 key missions from budget cuts over the next five years. A hiring freeze will accompany the layoffs, as officials reassess personnel needs. Critics within the department have expressed concerns that these cuts may harm its future capabilities.
On Friday, the Pentagon announced plans to terminate 5,400 civilian probationary workers beginning next week. This is expected to be just the initial phase of potentially much larger layoffs within the Defense Department, the largest agency in the federal government.
“We project a reduction of the civilian workforce by 5 to 8 percent to enhance efficiency and realign the department’s focus with the president’s priorities, alongside restoring readiness within our forces,” stated Darin Selnick, a senior personnel official at the Defense Department.
Currently, the department employs over 945,000 civilians. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated that 17 specific missions, including military operations at the southern border, will be exempt from the 8 percent budget cuts he has mandated for the forthcoming five years.
This week, senior Pentagon officials were informed to prepare for the termination of approximately 55,000 civilian employees globally, as part of an initiative by President Trump and Elon Musk to significantly shrink the federal workforce.
The upcoming dismissals, revealed on Friday, are viewed as the first wave and mainly affect those easiest to terminate. Probationary workers do not enjoy the same safeguards as many other federal employees. Typically, the probationary period lasts a year, but it may extend for certain roles.
According to Mr. Selnick, the department will implement a hiring freeze while officials perform a “thorough analysis of our workforce requirements.”
“Retaining individuals who do not contribute to our mission is simply not in the public’s best interest,” he remarked.
Some supervisors within the Defense Department have expressed concern that the impending cuts are a rash and poorly thought-out decision that could adversely affect the department’s future.