Trump Administration Orders Large-Scale Federal Job Cuts In Major Govt Restructuring

Federal agencies must formulate plans to eliminate employee positions, according to a memo issued by President Donald Trump's administration.

This directive sets in motion what could lead to a significant restructuring of the American government, reported AP.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

The memo extends the Republican president's initiative to reduce the federal workforce, which he has criticised as excessive and an obstacle to his agenda.

Thousands of probationary employees have already been dismissed, and now his administration is shifting focus to career officials with civil service protection.

Agencies have been instructed to submit their plans for a reduction in force (RIF) by March 13.

This process would not only lead to redundancies but also permanently remove the positions. The changes could substantially alter the functioning of government.

"The federal government is expensive, inefficient, and heavily in debt," stated the memo from Russell Vought, director of the White House's Office of Management and Budget, and Charles Ezell, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as the government's human resources agency. "At the same time, it is failing to deliver results for the American public."

Trump previously signalled this objective in an executive order he signed alongside billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is advising Trump on government reform.

The order directed agency leaders to "immediately begin preparations to implement large-scale reductions in force."

Some departments have already begun this process.

The General Services Administration, responsible for federal real estate, informed employees on Monday that a reduction in force was in progress, stating they would "do everything in our power to ensure your departure is handled fairly and with dignity."

The memo was issued as Trump prepared for the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. Musk, who heads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was also expected to attend.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that "all Cabinet secretaries follow the advice and guidance of DOGE."

"They will be providing updates on their efforts and outlining how they are implementing the policies and campaign promises made by the president," Leavitt said.

Musk has created disruption within the federal workforce, most notably by insisting that employees justify their roles or face dismissal. The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that this directive was voluntary.