A day after ending its deferred resignation offer to the nation’s two million federal government employees, the Trump administration began mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies on Thursday, affecting thousands of employees, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The layoffs, which were part of Trump’s campaign promise to reduce the federal government, initially affected probationary employees — recent hires who joined the federal workforce within the last one to two years, depending on the agency, and have fewer protections.
According to the most recent data available, as of March 2024, there were approximately 150,000 federal employees (excluding Defense Department employees) with one year or less of service.
The Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of Personnel Management, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration, and the Small Business Administration were among the agencies that laid off employees.
According to sources, some additional agencies have been directed to begin layoffs on Thursday.
Employees at some agencies received written notice of termination via email.
Workers at OPM joined a call that included a prerecorded message from the acting director informing them of their dismissal, according to someone familiar with the situation. According to sources, there were approximately 200 probationary workers on the call.
“Good afternoon, and thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. “This is a difficult conversation, and I want to be direct while also ensuring that you have all of the information and support you require,” acting OPM Director Charles Ezell told probationary employees, according to an audio recording of the call obtained by ABC News. He informed the employees that they were being laid off and asked them to “gather your personal belongings and exit the premises.”
Ezell concluded the meeting by expressing hope that those fired will “use this as an opportunity for your next step forward.”
Prior to the layoffs, OPM, the federal government’s human resources agency, directed agencies to compile lists of probationary employees, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Officials told ABC News that more than 73,000 federal employees accepted the administration’s buyout offer, which guaranteed full pay and benefits until September for any federal employee who accepted the deferred resignation.
