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The U.S. government has begun to lay off employees on probation and announced further job cuts in the administration.
President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to fire almost all probationary employees (who typically have been in their positions for less than a year), a measure that would directly impact hundreds of thousands of people.
A source speaking on the condition of anonymity revealed to Local 10 that the decision comes from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which functions as the government's human resources department. Even dozens of its employees were laid off.
Initially, the OPM had informed the agencies that employees on probation would be dismissed if they did not meet the high standards. However, the order was later expanded.
According to the information, this is expected to be the first step in a series of widespread layoffs, after Trump signed an executive order directing agency leaders to plan for "large-scale personnel reductions."
So far, the layoffs have impacted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Education, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The federal civilian workforce in the United States, excluding those in the Army and the Postal Service, consists of about 2.4 million people.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said that the administration "abused" the probationary status of federal workers "to carry out a wave of politically motivated mass layoffs, targeting employees not for their performance, but because they were hired before Trump took office."
Experts point out that this is a mistake, as it affects younger workers, who presumably have better skills, in a context where retirements among the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are increasing.
For his part, Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stated that it is necessary to eliminate "entire agencies."
The DOGE, created to drastically reduce bureaucracy and government spending, is not only targeting temporary workers. This week it implemented a cut of 900 million dollars at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the main research body of the U.S. Department of Education.
According to the AP agency, the decision was based on an audit that classified a large portion of the spending as "unnecessary," and has sparked a wave of criticism among experts and lawmakers, who warn that it could weaken the monitoring and improvement of the national education system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job Cuts in the Trump Administration
Why is the Trump administration terminating employees during their probationary period?
The Trump administration has started to lay off probationary employees as part of a broader plan to reduce government bureaucracy. The measure aims to dismiss almost all probationary employees to comply with large-scale staff reduction guidelines mandated by Trump. This action is part of an executive order signed by the president to decrease the size of the public administration.
What role does Elon Musk play in U.S. government cuts?
Elon Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for implementing reforms to reduce bureaucracy and public spending. In his role, Musk has made significant cuts to federal departments, such as the $900 million reduction in the Department of Education. His focus is on eliminating what he considers unnecessary spending and improving government efficiency.
How do the layoffs in the Trump administration affect public services?
Mass layoffs could affect the quality and availability of public services offered by federal agencies. Experts warn that staff reductions may weaken critical areas such as education, financial protection, and services for veterans. Additionally, the impact could be greater in agencies that have already been subject to significant budget cuts.
What do experts think about the staff cuts in the Trump administration?
Experts and critics believe that staff reductions could be a mistake as they primarily affect young employees with essential skills for the functioning of the government. They also warn that this measure could increase unemployment and negatively impact the efficiency of federal agencies, in a context where retirements among baby boomers are on the rise.
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