News Brief
US Government Shrinks: Trump, Musk Lay Off Thousands In Cost-Cutting Move
US president Donald Trump
In a sweeping effort to reduce the size of the US federal workforce, President Donald Trump, alongside Elon Musk, has overseen the termination of over 9,500 government employees across multiple departments, reported Reuters.
The move, part of an initiative to curb government spending and streamline operations, has impacted agencies such as Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.
The job cuts have reportedly mostly targeted probationary employees—those within their first year of service—who have fewer employment protections.
However, the scale and speed of the layoffs have sparked controversy, particularly among Democrats who argue that Trump is overstepping his authority by reshaping the federal workforce without Congressional approval.
Massive Workforce Reduction Underway
The firings come on top of around 75,000 employees who have voluntarily accepted buyouts as part of a government downsizing initiative, bringing the total reduction to nearly 3 per cent of the federal workforce.
The administration argues that the federal government is too bloated and that spending reductions are necessary, given the $36 trillion national debt and $1.8 trillion budget deficit recorded last year.
Despite support from Republican lawmakers, concerns have emerged within Trump’s own administration regarding Musk’s aggressive approach to the restructuring.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has reportedly expressed frustration over the lack of coordination in the layoffs.
Targeted Job Cuts and Operational Impact
Among the agencies affected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) have seen nearly half of their probationary workers dismissed.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also expected to lay off thousands of employees next week, a move that may strain tax collection efforts ahead of the 15 April tax filing deadline.
Additionally, funding reductions have halted the hiring of seasonal firefighters and stopped forest maintenance programs aimed at removing fire hazards.
This comes just weeks after devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, raising concerns about the government’s ability to respond to future natural disasters.
Musk’s Influence in Trump’s Presidency
Critics have raised alarms over Elon Musk’s deep involvement in federal restructuring, with some arguing that his approach is more ideological than financially strategic.
The billionaire entrepreneur has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has taken an audit-style approach to government spending.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, defended Musk’s role, stating that his team is reviewing agencies for inefficiencies.
Speaking to Fox Business Network, he likened the effort to a financial audit, arguing that it would ultimately improve governance.
