In a drastic move to shrink the federal workforce, thousands of government employees have been handed layoff notices, igniting widespread confusion and frustration. Among the hardest hit are special educators, veterans, and medical researchers, many of whom had dedicated their careers to public service. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced late Thursday that over 1,000 employees, including researchers studying cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics, and burn pit exposure, were dismissed. US Senator Patty Murray voiced concerns over the abrupt decision, calling it a setback for critical medical research.
The layoffs extended beyond the VA. The Education Department saw the dismissal of numerous special education specialists and student aid officials, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) terminated nearly 1,300 probationary employees—about one-tenth of its workforce. According to an official present at an internal meeting, CDC leadership was informed of the decision Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signaled further reductions, stating that her department welcomed the DOGE team’s cost-cutting initiatives with “open arms” and that additional layoffs were imminent.
Federal Employees React with Anger and Confusion
Federal workers across the country expressed outrage as the Trump administration aggressively pursued workforce reductions. The policy primarily targeted probationary employees—those who had not yet secured civil service protections. Notices were sent out in a haphazard manner, leaving many workers unsure of their next steps. In some cases, employees who had already accepted voluntary buyouts received termination emails, raising questions about the administration’s handling of the layoffs. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) later admitted that some notices had been sent in error and promised to honor buyout agreements.
“This has been slash and burn,” said Nicholas Detter, a natural resource specialist in Kansas who was terminated via email late Thursday, an AP report stated. His work focused on helping farmers manage soil and water erosion, a program established in response to the 1930s Dust Bowl. Detter lamented the reckless nature of the layoffs, emphasizing the lack of consideration for employees and the communities they served.
Veterans Among Those Impacted
Veterans were not spared from the sweeping dismissals. Andrew Lennox, a 10-year Marine veteran enrolled in a supervisor training program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, received a sudden termination email Thursday night.
“In order to help veterans, you just fired a veteran,” said Lennox, 35, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, speaking to AP news. His dismissal was part of a larger effort by the VA to cut personnel costs, reportedly saving the department $98 million annually.
Similarly, David Rice, a disabled Army paratrooper working as a foreign affairs specialist at the US Department of Energy, was unexpectedly let go. He had been under the impression that his position was secure, only to discover his termination email moments before logging into a scheduled meeting.
“It’s just been chaos,” said Rice, who had recently purchased a home in Florida. While he supports government efficiency, he criticized the administration’s haphazard approach to downsizing.
The DOGE Connection and Musk’s Role
At the heart of these cuts is billionaire Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been spearheading efforts to drastically reduce federal spending. The initiative, backed by President Trump’s recent executive order, mandates “large-scale reductions” in government agencies. With only 75,000 employees accepting voluntary buyouts, the administration has resorted to layoffs to meet its workforce reduction targets.
Critics argue that Musk’s involvement in reshaping the federal government has led to indiscriminate job cuts, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups. The abrupt nature of the layoffs has fueled speculation about Musk’s broader ambitions for streamlining government operations, with some describing the situation as “DOGE-fueled chaos.”
Legal Challenges and Backlash
The layoffs have sparked legal action and protests. The National Treasury Employees Union, along with other labor organizations, has filed a lawsuit challenging what they claim are unlawful terminations. Union leaders warn that cutting probationary employees—many of whom have undergone extensive training—will have dire consequences for agency operations already suffering from years of budget constraints.
On Friday, Democracy Forward filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, requesting an investigation into whether the mass firings violated federal personnel policies. Labor activists and government workers gathered outside the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., to protest the cuts, fearing that contract workers could be next in line.
“They’re picking us off, one by one,” said a federal contractor who chose to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.
Political Reactions and the Future of Federal Employment
Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the administration’s approach. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski criticized the layoffs, stating on social media, “Indiscriminate workforce cuts aren’t efficient and won’t fix the federal budget.” She further noted that her office had received vague and inadequate responses from federal agencies regarding the firings.
With the deadline for agencies to issue termination notices set for Tuesday, uncertainty looms over thousands of additional federal workers. As Musk’s DOGE-led efficiency campaign continues to reshape the government, questions remain about the long-term impact of these mass layoffs and whether more agencies will follow suit in the coming weeks.
