Trump Admin Fires Thousands of Govt. Workers

THE NEWS

Thousands of federal employees have been fired across multiple agencies following the passing of a buyout deadline set by the Trump administration.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other departments confirmed terminations of probationary workers who did not accept an offered buyout or deferred resignation.

President Donald Trump defended the mass firings as part of his plan to achieve a “downsized” yet more effective government. Critics, including lawmakers and unions, argue the abrupt layoffs will hurt critical public services.

TIMELINE

• January 2025: President Trump establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to spearhead his agenda of reducing federal spending and government size.

• Early February 2025: Multiple agencies, under DOGE’s guidance, begin preparing for large-scale reductions in force.

• February 11, 2025: Trump formally directs agency leaders to work with DOGE on implementing “large-scale reductions in force.”

• February 12, 2025: Deadline for employees to accept a buyout or deferred resignation. About 75,000 workers choose to leave the government with continued pay through September.

• February 13, 2025:The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) advises agencies to terminate probationary employees who declined the buyout.Trump publicly comments that many employees had gotten “used to staying home,” calling downsizing “a big tremendous saving.”

• Mid-February 2025:Agencies including the EPA, NIH, FAA, Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture confirm firings.A federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing certain Treasury Department payment systems, but other courts permit ongoing data access in the Department of Labor and HHS.

REACTIONS

Trump Administration: President Trump praised the firings as a substantial cost-saving move, describing it as part of a broader strategy for a “downsized government.” DOGE continues working with agencies to identify what it terms redundant positions and impose “efficiency measures.”

Government Agencies:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson confirmed firing 388 probationary employees “after a thorough review.

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) fired 1,165 workers, according to an internal memo, and the Department of Energy confirmed letting go dozens at its National Nuclear Security Administration.

• USDA announced an “aggressive plan” to eliminate positions “no longer necessary.”

Unions and Advocacy Groups:

• The union of Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO, criticized the firings as “shameful,” claiming it sidelines dedicated public servants.

• Public Citizen, a left-leaning advocacy group, has been involved in legal challenges, raising privacy and worker rights concerns.

Lawmakers:

• Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) posted that the cuts “will do more harm than good,” creating anxiety among civil servants.

• Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) warned that firings at the Department of Energy undermine critical nuclear safety oversight.

WHAT'S NEXT

Federal agencies may face legal action and political blowback as unions and advocacy groups challenge the scope and process of these large-scale terminations.

Pending court rulings could limit or expand DOGE’s authority to direct workforce cuts, especially concerning employees on probationary status.