Workers across the U.S. are reacting with frustration and uncertainty after the Trump administration ordered agencies to lay off probationary federal employees. These workers, who have been employed for less than a year, do not yet have civil service protections.
The layoffs are part of a larger plan to reduce the size of the federal government. While much of the focus has been on Washington, the cuts are affecting employees nationwide. Federal workers from Michigan to Florida were shocked to receive notices informing them that their jobs had been terminated.
Some employees who had already agreed to voluntary resignations, which allowed them to be paid until September 30, were also sent layoff notices. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) later admitted that some employees may have been fired by mistake and assured that those who accepted buyouts would still be paid.
Widespread Impact on Federal Agencies
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that over 1,000 employees, including those researching cancer treatment, opioid addiction, and burn pit exposure, had been let go. The Department of Education also saw layoffs, including special education specialists and student aid officials.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1,300 employees—around 10% of its workforce—were dismissed. The Department of Agriculture has also confirmed that layoffs are coming soon.
Brooke Rollins, the new Agriculture Secretary, defended the move, stating, “The American people have spoken. They believe the government is too big.”
Veterans and Essential Workers Affected
Among those fired was Andrew Lennox, a Marine veteran working at the VA in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was training for a supervisory role when he received an unexpected termination email.
“In order to help veterans, you just fired a veteran,” said Lennox, who had hoped to continue serving fellow veterans.
David Rice, a disabled Army paratrooper working as a foreign affairs specialist at the Department of Energy, also lost his job. He had just purchased a home in Florida, believing his position was secure.
Many employees feel the layoffs were random and poorly planned. Nicholas Detter, a natural resource specialist in Kansas, had already agreed to a buyout but was still laid off. His work involved helping farmers prevent soil erosion, a program designed to protect American farmland.
Protests and Legal Challenges
Labor unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), have filed lawsuits against what they call “unlawful terminations.” They argue that cutting trained employees will harm government agencies.
Protests broke out in Washington, D.C., with workers and activists rallying against the job cuts. One federal contractor warned, “First, it’s the probationary workers. Next, it will be the rest of us.”
Will the Layoffs Reduce Government Costs?
While the layoffs are intended to cut government spending, they are unlikely to make a major impact. The U.S. government spends about $270 billion annually on federal worker salaries. Even if all those workers were fired, the government would still have a budget deficit of over $1 trillion.
Some experts warn that these job cuts could also hurt the economy. If large numbers of federal employees lose their jobs, the monthly employment reports could show a decline in hiring.
Despite the financial and economic concerns, those who have been laid off say the real impact will be felt by the communities they served. Rice, the former Department of Energy worker, summed it up: “We were trying to make a difference. Now, that work is being taken away.”
