New memo details Trump administration’s plan to escalate federal layoffs, sets March deadline to reduce staff by thousands – The Times of India

The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to scale down the federal workforce, with plans to lay off thousands more workers. A memo issued by senior officials on Wednesday outlined a detailed timeline for the next phase of layoffs, with a March 13 deadline for agencies to submit their plans for cuts. This move follows a series of previous dismissals, primarily targeting employees with probationary status, and signals a broader, more aggressive reduction in government personnel.
The downsizing initiative is part of a broader push by President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the size of the federal government, which he has frequently criticized as “bloated” and inefficient. Federal agencies are now required to prepare for further workforce reductions, with an eye on eliminating roles and consolidating programs. As reported by the Associated Press, the new directive is expected to significantly affect agencies across the country, with some, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), potentially reducing staff by as much as 65%.
Details of the planned workforce reductions
The new memo, circulated by Russell T. Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, and Charles Ezell, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), calls for agencies to plan for “large-scale reductions” in their workforce. As reported by The New York Times, the deadline for the first phase of cuts is set for March 13, while a second round of plans is due by April 14. These cuts will not only affect the number of employees but may also lead to the elimination of entire positions, potentially disrupting various government functions, including public services like patent approvals, food inspections, and park maintenance.
Impact on federal workers and government services
The memo highlights the administration’s push to streamline government operations by cutting “non-essential” functions. As stated in the memo, agencies are encouraged to focus on eliminating roles that are not legally required by statute. According to the Associated Press, the reductions are expected to be felt most acutely by the 80% of federal workers who reside outside of Washington, D.C., potentially leading to significant disruptions in vital public services across the nation.
While many workers have already accepted deferred resignation offers or been dismissed, the new round of layoffs will target career officials with civil service protection, a group that has largely been shielded from previous cuts. The ramifications could extend far beyond job losses, as agencies look to consolidate programs and relocate offices to less expensive regions of the country.
Challenges and opposition to the cuts
The Trump administration’s efforts have faced resistance from labor unions, Democratic state leaders, and various advocacy groups. Many fear that these aggressive cuts will leave federal agencies underprepared and ill-equipped to meet public needs. Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, warned in a report for the Associated Press that the scale of these reductions would make it “incredibly hard to rebuild the capacity” of the affected organizations.
As reported by The New York Times, Trump has framed these cuts as necessary for reducing government waste, but they are expected to face legal challenges, especially from federal workers’ unions. Still, with the upcoming deadlines and further directives expected, the administration’s plans to overhaul the federal workforce appear to be accelerating.