The Trump administration has issued a memo directing federal agencies to develop plans for eliminating employee positions, marking the beginning of what could be a significant restructuring of the American government. This initiative aligns with former President Donald Trump’s longstanding goal of downsizing the federal workforce, which he has criticized as bloated and inefficient.
Thousands of probationary employees have already been dismissed, and the administration is now shifting its focus to career officials with civil service protections. Agencies have been instructed to submit their reduction in force (RIF) plans by March 13, a process that would not only result in layoffs but also permanently eliminate positions, potentially reshaping government operations.
“The federal government is costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt,” stated Russell Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, in the memo. “At the same time, it is not producing results for the American public.”
Trump had previously signaled this objective in an executive order co-signed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is advising the administration on government restructuring. The order instructed agency leaders to “promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force.”
Some departments have already begun implementing these measures. On Monday, the General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees federal real estate, informed employees that a RIF was underway, assuring them that efforts would be made to ensure a fair and dignified departure.
The memo was released as Trump prepared for the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, where Musk was expected to participate as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that “all Cabinet secretaries take the advice and direction of DOGE.”
“They’ll be providing updates on their efforts, as well as updates on policies and the implementation of the promises the president made on the campaign trail,” Leavitt added.
Musk’s involvement has stirred controversy within the federal workforce, particularly after he demanded that employees justify their positions or face termination. The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that the directive was voluntary.
(With inputs from AP)