Trump and Musk lead push to cut 9,500 federal jobs, with agencies hit hard

President Trump and Elon Musk oversee unprecedented federal workforce cuts, affecting agencies including Energy, Agriculture, and Health.

Elon Musk listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2025. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

By Widya Putri and Alana Salsabila

U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has launched an aggressive campaign to reduce the size of the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce, resulting in the layoff of at least 9,500 employees. This unprecedented effort, aimed at reducing government size and spending, is part of a broader initiative with no signs of slowing down. The layoffs, which primarily affected employees with less than one year of service, have already had a significant impact on various federal departments and agencies, with additional buyouts accepted by about 75,000 workers.

Layoffs primarily target probationary employees

The bulk of the layoffs were aimed at workers with fewer than 12 months of service, a group that enjoys fewer legal protections compared to their longer-tenured counterparts. While some of the terminations were focused on employees in departments with ongoing high-priority initiatives, others were part of a broad initiative to streamline government functions.

Several key departments were significantly impacted by the cuts, including the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration’s focus on reducing federal staff is part of an effort to create a more efficient, leaner government, but it has sparked concern about the long-term implications for federal operations.

Department of the Interior: 2,300 layoffs

The Department of the Interior saw the loss of around 2,300 employees, with about 800 coming from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM oversees millions of acres of federally owned land, including national parks and sites for energy development. The cuts in this department are particularly concerning due to the essential roles BLM workers play in land conservation, energy production, and recreational land management.

Encompassing more than 70,000 workers, the Department of the Interior plays a key role in overseeing public lands and natural resources. The loss of 2,300 employees is expected to slow down the department's operations, particularly in land management and conservation efforts.

Department of Energy: 1,200 to 2,000 layoffs

The Department of Energy (DOE) experienced a significant reduction in staff, with layoffs ranging between 1,200 and 2,000 employees. Among those affected were over 300 workers at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is responsible for managing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile and ensuring nuclear security.

While some layoffs at NNSA were later rescinded to retain critical security personnel, the overall reduction in the department’s workforce has raised concerns about the nation’s energy and security capabilities. The DOE employs approximately 14,000 people, with many others working as contractors, and these cuts are expected to put additional strain on the department’s ability to meet its objectives, especially in energy security and research.

Department of Agriculture: 3,400 layoffs at U.S. Forest Service

In the Department of Agriculture, approximately 3,400 employees at the U.S. Forest Service were laid off, marking nearly 10% of the workforce at this crucial agency. The Forest Service is responsible for managing national forests and grasslands, with a focus on conservation, wildfire prevention, and sustainable resource management. The loss of so many employees raises questions about the future of forest preservation and management, as well as the long-term impact on environmental protection efforts.

In addition to the Forest Service layoffs, employees at various Agriculture Department research agencies, including the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service, were also let go. These agencies are critical to agricultural science and research, which supports the nation’s food security and agricultural economy.

Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly 5,200 layoffs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was another major target of the federal workforce cuts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saw the layoff of approximately 1,300 employees, many of whom were still in probationary periods. The CDC plays a pivotal role in public health initiatives, including disease prevention and health data collection.

At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 1,165 staff members were let go. These staff members were primarily probationary employees and played essential roles in advancing biomedical research and health policy. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was affected, though the exact number of FDA layoffs remains unclear. The total number of HHS layoffs, including employees from the CDC, NIH, FDA, and other departments, amounted to roughly 5,200 workers.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Large-scale shutdown

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an independent agency that oversees consumer protection in the financial sector, has been largely shuttered. The Trump administration ordered the agency to halt all activity, and approximately 70 probationary employees were laid off. The termination notices also targeted workers with fixed-term contracts, signaling that broader staffing cuts may be on the horizon for the agency.

Other affected agencies and departments

Several other federal agencies and departments have also been affected by the layoffs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) saw over 1,000 workers laid off, while the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) fired all its probationary employees. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Education also faced terminations, with at least 45 and 160 employees losing their jobs, respectively.

The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were also impacted, with hundreds of layoffs planned. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has faced scrutiny over recent air traffic incidents, let go fewer than 400 employees from its 45,000-strong workforce.

Impact of the layoffs and ongoing concerns

While the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s campaign to reduce the size of the federal workforce are positioned as efforts to cut government spending and streamline operations, many experts express concerns about the long-term impact on federal services. Reductions in staff could hinder the ability of agencies to perform essential tasks, particularly in fields such as health and safety, environmental protection, and national security.

As the layoffs continue to unfold, there is growing unease about the effects on public services and the future of federal agencies that serve key national interests. For now, the full extent of the cuts will continue to emerge as additional federal workers face job losses in the coming months.