US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered federal agencies to prepare for significant layoffs of workers as part of its efforts to slash the size of the US government. This move comes after a memo instructed agencies to submit plans by March 13 for reducing staffing, targeting probationary workers first.
In his first cabinet meeting, Tesla CEO Elon Musk touted his ambitious budget-cutting targets, saying he can achieve $1 trillion in cuts this year. The plan would likely entail significant disruption of government programs.
Trump welcomed Musk’s efforts, giving him the floor at the top of the meeting and asking if anyone was unhappy with him, which sparked scattered laughter. Later, Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to review and terminate unnecessary contracts, instructing the General Services Administration to create a plan for disposing of unneeded property.
The US government has already experienced significant layoffs under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, with over 100,000 civilian federal workers having been fired or taking buyouts. The administration’s efforts have also frozen foreign aid, disrupted construction projects and scientific research.
As the administration pushes forward with its cost-cutting measures, there are concerns about the impact on popular health and retirement benefits, which account for nearly half of the budget. Trump has promised to refrain from cutting these benefits, but it remains unclear how he will balance his efforts to reduce government spending with protecting vital services.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-attend-trump-cabinet-meet-workers-brace-more-uncertainty-2025-02-26