White House Directs Agencies to Prepare for Large-Scale Job Cuts

The Trump administration has initiated plans for substantial layoffs across federal agencies, mandating that agency heads submit detailed workforce reduction plans by March 13. A memo from the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management emphasized the need to eliminate what they termed 'costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt' government functions, arguing that taxpayer dollars are wasted on unproductive programs. The directive calls for the consolidation of duplicative positions and the removal of underperforming employees, with a broader goal of improving efficiency and reducing government size. Additionally, agencies must consider relocating offices to lower-cost regions outside Washington, D.C. The strategy has already led to significant job terminations in recent weeks, affecting many probationary employees. Critics have labeled this approach as an unprecedented dismantling of government operations.