President Donald Trump has been making significant changes to the federal workforce during the initial months of his administration, with more changes on the horizon. Before federal agencies submit their mass layoff plans on Thursday, Trump has implemented new regulations and personnel adjustments aimed at increasing the president’s control over agency employees, including his own appointees and career civil servants. Under the guidance of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department Of Government Efficiency team, the Trump administration has already terminated tens of thousands of federal employees nationwide, spanning various agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, and the National Institutes of Health. In prior interviews, Trump criticized career federal employees, accusing them of harming the country and labeling them as corrupt and dishonest, justifying his efforts to streamline the federal government. Despite Trump’s claims of an inflated workforce with unnecessary individuals, the size of the federal workforce has remained relatively stable since the late 1960s, fluctuating between 1.8 and 2.4 million employees over the past six decades. As federal agencies prepare for mass layoffs, Trump and his team have already initiated changes to the federal workforce, including offering buyouts to around 75,000 employees and terminating probationary workers. The buyouts provided eight months of pay and benefits to those who resigned immediately in exchange for their departure. Additionally, tens of thousands of probationary workers were let go in February, despite receiving positive performance reviews. The White House defended these actions as necessary to combat waste and inefficiency in the Executive Branch.
Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District recently ruled that the Office of Personnel Management overstepped its authority by instructing agencies to fire probationary employees who are not deemed mission-critical. Alsup stated that OPM does not have the power to hire or fire employees outside of its own jurisdiction.
The case is ongoing, with the head of OPM declining to testify. Despite requests, the White House and the Office of Management and Budget have not disclosed the total number of probationary workers who have been terminated.
The Trump administration has implemented new rules for performance evaluations of Senior Executive Service managers, making it more difficult for them to receive top ratings. Trump can grant exceptions to these rules, allowing executives to receive bonuses or avoid dismissal. Additionally, a new employment classification called Schedule F gives Trump the authority to hire and fire certain employees who may challenge administration policies.
These changes could affect the job security of thousands of federal workers. Supporters gathered at a rally to show solidarity with terminated federal employees.
In another move, Trump announced that his administration would not honor union contracts negotiated during the final days of President Biden’s term, citing concerns about limiting his governance. The Department of Homeland Security also decided to end collective bargaining for 47,000 airport security employees, drawing criticism from the American Federation of Government Employees.
The Department of Homeland Security justified the decision by stating that the union had created bureaucratic obstacles. The administration aims to return to merit-based hiring and firing policies.
Lastly, Trump issued an executive order requiring federal employees to return to work in-person at their duty stations, signaling a shift from remote work policies.
Trump has officially ended COVID-19 era flexibilities that allowed about half of civilian federal employees to work from home at least some of the time. Prior to this order, 54% of federal employees worked fully on-site, according to an August 2024 Office of Management and Budget study. Trump believes that employees working from home may not be productive and could have second jobs. Many federal offices have closed or consolidated due to fewer employees coming in, leading to challenges such as insufficient desks and Internet access for returning workers.
Additionally, Trump implemented a hiring freeze for new federal employees until April 19, with exemptions for military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. This freeze impacted seasonal hiring, resulting in rescinded job offers and potential extensions of the freeze to reduce staff.
Furthermore, Trump dismissed three key figures responsible for protecting federal workers from unlawful practices, despite their job protections. The administration argued in court that the firings were within Trump’s rights as head of the executive branch, challenging laws that say otherwise. These actions have already had a significant impact on the federal workforce.
