Trump Extends Hiring Freeze; Musk Leads Workforce Cuts

President Trump has extended the federal hiring freeze for civilian executive branch employees through July 15, 2025, as part of a government-wide effort to reduce federal workforce and spending. The freeze, which continues to exempt military, immigration, and national security roles, prohibits agencies from filling vacant positions or creating new ones, with a stricter one-for-four post-freeze hiring ratio planned. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced it will lay off about 1,500 employees, cutting its workforce by 90%, a move that has prompted legal action and criticism from advocates. These actions are part of a broader initiative led by Elon Musk, who now heads the Department of Government Efficiency and has already overseen tens of thousands of federal job cuts and buyouts. Critics argue that these reductions may harm government services and do not address the main drivers of the federal deficit, such as entitlement and interest spending. The White House defends these measures as steps to fulfill campaign promises and increase the efficiency of taxpayer spending.