Abdelrahman
Workers Nationwide React to Federal Layoffs Amid Administration Changes
NEW YORK (AP) — Across the United States, federal employees expressed frustration and bewilderment on Friday as they confronted the Trump administration’s sweeping initiative to reduce the federal workforce. This initiative includes ordering agencies to terminate probationary employees lacking civil service safeguards, leading to widespread uncertainty.
While the administration focused on streamlining processes in Washington, the ramifications of this workforce reduction extended far beyond the capital. Layoff notifications were dispatched across various agencies, affecting dedicated federal employees from Michigan to Florida, with many being shocked to learn their positions were being eliminated.
The situation quickly turned chaotic, as some individuals receiving layoff notices had previously accepted a deferred resignation offer, which promised compensation through September 30 for those who opted to resign. This discrepancy raised concerns about the potential for more layoffs among other employees who had also signed on to this agreement. In response, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) acknowledged that some termination notices may have been sent out in error and affirmed that signed buyout agreements would be honored.
Nicholas Detter, a natural resource specialist from Kansas who was abruptly fired via email late Thursday, described the process as thoughtless and disregarding the impacts on both employees and the communities they serve. “None of this has been done thoughtfully or carefully,” he remarked.
The White House and the OPM refrained from disclosing how many probationary employees had been dismissed so far, though data from March 2024 indicated that around 220,000 government workers had less than one year of service.
Agencies have been instructed by OPM to complete layoff notifications by 8 p.m. Tuesday. These probationary terminations represent just one aspect of the administration’s broader strategy, which is spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. Following a lackluster response to a voluntary buyout—accepted by only 75,000 workers—Trump has directed agency leaders to prepare for “large-scale reductions.”
Commencement of Layoffs
On Thursday evening, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the termination of over 1,000 workers who had been employed for under two years, impacting vital research initiatives related to cancer, opioid addiction, and treatment for burn pit exposures, as highlighted by U.S. Senator Patty Murray. The Education Department also faced layoffs, affecting specialists in special education and student aid.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1,300 probationary employees—approximately ten percent of the agency’s workforce—were notified of their termination on Friday. Officials at the agency were briefed on this decision during a meeting earlier that day. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed her department had welcomed Musk’s team and anticipated further layoffs to come.
"Clearly, it’s a new day," Rollins stated at the White House, asserting the public had conveyed their sentiment regarding excessive governmental size during the election on November 5.
Employees Affected
Andrew Lennox, a former Marine who had joined the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, shared that he received an unexpected termination email late Thursday night. “To help veterans, you just fired a veteran,” noted Lennox, who had been supporting fellow veterans and expressed a strong desire to continue his work.
The VA announced that the personnel changes would ultimately save the department over $98 million annually, despite the immediate impacts on its staff.
David Rice, a disabled Army paratrooper, also learned of his termination on the same evening after joining the Department of Energy as a foreign affairs specialist. He expressed his belief that his job security was assured, making the sudden dismissal all the more disheartening.
“It’s just been chaos,” lamented Rice, who had just purchased a home in Florida following his new role. He supported the administration’s aim for efficiency, yet criticized the disorganized approach taken.
Dismissals Post Buyout Agreement
Disturbingly, some employees who had accepted the administration’s buyout offers found themselves still facing layoffs. Detter, who had committed to a buyout with the Agriculture Department, received an immediate layoff notification despite positive performance reviews.
Expressing feelings of disrespect and helplessness, Detter remarked, "You’re just kind of a pawn in a much larger battle that I feel Elon Musk has undertaken to shrink the government."
Challenging Administration Decisions
In response to these mass layoffs, the National Treasury Employees Union and several other groups filed a lawsuit claiming unlawful terminations. NTEU President Doreen Greenwald emphasized that dismissing trained probationary employees would severely hinder agency missions and operations, as many agencies are already dealing with staff shortages due to previous budget cuts.
In addition, the advocacy organization Democracy Forward has urged an investigation into whether the mass firings contravene federal personnel regulations, seeking to pause the terminations during the inquiry process. Labor activists rallied outside the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington to voice their concerns over the cuts, warning of the implications for future layoffs.
Senator Lisa Murkowski issued a statement addressing the counterproductive nature of indiscriminate workforce cuts, asserting that they would not remedy the federal budget issue.
Could Cuts Rectify the Deficit?
Despite the administration’s intentions, the layoffs are unlikely to generate significant savings for the government. Annually, federal compensation for civilian workers totals approximately $270 billion, with a substantial portion allocated to departments such as Defense and Veterans Affairs. Even in the scenario of eliminating all federal jobs, the government would still face a deficit exceeding $1 trillion.
Experts caution that the ramifications of these layoffs may manifest in negative job growth, with some workers fearing further job losses. Former employees are confident that the individuals who depend on their services will soon feel the repercussions of these cuts.
“As we strive to help people, we are suddenly without a job,” Rice noted. “I truly believe that our work matters.”
___ Associated Press journalists Colvin and Price contributed from New York, while Witte reported from Annapolis, Maryland, and Householder from Detroit. Additional contributions came from Adam Behsudi and Claire Galofaro in Washington, as well as Mike Stobbe in New York.
