US federal agencies begin mass layoffs amid chaos
What's the story
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce, the Trump administration, along with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has begun sweeping layoffs across federal agencies.
The main focus of these dismissals is probationary employees who have been employed for less than a year and lack civil service protections.
Just this week, over 9,500 employees have been laid off.
Departmental impact
Layoffs hit key departments, affecting critical research
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced over 1,000 dismissals, affecting researchers in critical fields like cancer treatment and opioid addiction.
The Education Department also saw layoffs, with special education specialists and student aid officials among those shown the door.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fired nearly 1,300 probationary employees, about one-10th of its workforce.
Support and terminations
Agriculture Secretary supports layoffs, USDS faces terminations
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has expressed her support for the DOGE team's cost-cutting measures, hinting that more layoffs are on the way.
The US Digital Service (USDS), now under Musk's control and rebranded the United States DOGE Service, also saw job cuts.
The developments have only added to the uncertainty and confusion among federal employees.
Errors and lawsuits
Layoffs marred by errors and legal challenges
The layoffs have been marred by errors, with some employees who accepted voluntary buyouts receiving termination notices by mistake.
The Office of Personnel Management has admitted to these mistakes and promised to honor buyout agreements.
Legal challenges have also been raised against the terminations, with the National Treasury Employees Union filing a lawsuit alleging that the layoffs are unlawful.
Protests and investigation
Protests erupt, investigation requested into personnel violations
Meanwhile, protests have erupted outside Washington's Hubert H. Humphrey Building as labor activists and federal workers voice their displeasure over the administration's actions.
Democracy Forward has called for an investigation into possible federal personnel violations in connection with these firings.
The effects of these layoffs go beyond the employees themselves, with veterans like Andrew Lennox and David Rice also losing their jobs without warning.