The Trump administration has begun implementing mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies, impacting thousands of workers. Over 4,000 employees across seven departments received “reduction-in-force” notices on Friday, according to a court filing. The move comes as the government faces a shutdown, with unions challenging the cuts in court.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported that between 1,100 and 1,200 workers were laid off, citing the need to eliminate “wasteful and duplicative entities” aligned with the administration’s policies. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed 176 employees were let go, including staff from the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which the administration criticized for prior focus on “censorship and electioneering.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicated potential future layoffs affecting 20–30 employees, while the Department of Education reported 466 workers displaced. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also confirmed cuts, though specifics were not provided. The Treasury Department acknowledged ongoing reductions but did not disclose numbers.
The Department of Justice stated 1,446 employees were laid off on Friday, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also affected by staffing reductions. Officials cited the shutdown as a catalyst for the cuts, framing the actions as necessary to streamline operations.
