The Trump administration is advancing plans for mass firings within the federal government, following President Trump’s endorsement of Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce its size. Thousands of federal workers, especially those on probation, have already been let go, while about 75,000 accepted deferred resignation offers. A memo from budget and personnel officials called for further large-scale cuts, focusing on the elimination of non-mandatory functions. Plans for these reductions are due by mid-April, with potential relocations of agencies to cheaper areas. Trump’s cabinet meeting indicated the Education Department might be targeted. An executive order was also signed to enhance financial scrutiny within agencies.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration took steps to advance its plans for further mass firings in the federal government, shortly after President Trump expressed his support for Elon Musk and his initiative to downsize government operations.
In recent weeks, thousands of federal employees have already been terminated, mainly those on probationary status. The Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the federal workforce, announced that roughly 75,000 employees had accepted offers of deferred resignation, allowing them to leave their positions in exchange for seven months of salary and benefits.
Recent polling indicates that a greater number of Americans disapprove of Mr. Musk’s measures to reduce the federal workforce compared to those in favor. Republican House members have faced significant pushback at town hall meetings. During his initial cabinet meeting, Mr. Trump made his support for Mr. Musk clear by asking, “Is anybody dissatisfied with Elon?” As laughter emerged in the room, he added, “If you are, we’ll have him removed.”
Russell T. Vought, who leads the White House budget office, together with Charles Ezell, the acting head of the Office of Personnel Management, distributed a memo urging governmental leaders to strategize for upcoming “large-scale reductions” within the federal workforce planned for March and April.
Labeling the federal bureaucracy as “overstuffed” and “corrupt,” the seven-page memo demanded substantial cuts to agencies — in some cases to the maximum extent permissible by law. One excerpt stated that agencies “should prioritize the complete elimination of non-mandated functions.”
The memo specified that plans for the next round of cuts need to be submitted by March 13, with additional “phase 2” plans due by April 14.
Alongside layoffs, the memo also proposed possible “relocations of agency bureaus and offices from Washington,” suggesting that certain agencies situated in or near the capital might be moved “to areas across the country with lower costs.”
It remains uncertain which agencies could face relocation. Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump hinted that the Education Department — which he had previously suggested shutting down completely — was a candidate for potential relocation.
“If you travel around Washington, you notice all these buildings, the Department of Education,” Mr. Trump remarked. “We want to restore education management to the states where it rightfully belongs.”
The memo also specified a few exceptions to the comprehensive layoff plans, indicating that the Postal Service, military personnel, and roles associated with national security, border security, immigration, or public safety would be excluded.
According to the memo, the execution of the cuts would fall to agency leaders, who “should collaborate with their DOGE team leads.” Members of Mr. Musk’s team have been designated to various government agencies and have gained access to agency computer systems and records.
Later on Wednesday, Mr. Trump enacted an executive order that further empowered DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, to examine and potentially withhold payments from government agencies. This order required each agency to assemble a database of all payments made — each with a written rationale — which will be made accessible to the public.
The order also imposed a temporary freeze on all government credit cards used by employees — with allowances for disaster relief and “other critical services” — for a period of 30 days. The order seemed to acknowledge that this freeze might test the boundaries of executive power, stating that it should be implemented “to the fullest extent allowed by law.”