The Trump administration has initiated the next phase of its efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Agency leaders have been instructed to prepare for significant layoffs, known as reductions in force (RIFs), following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The plan will be carried out with the assistance of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will play a larger role in reshaping federal operations.
The executive order, titled “Implementing The President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative,” also places strict limits on federal agencies’ ability to hire new employees. Agency heads will be required to coordinate closely with DOGE representatives on hiring plans. When the hiring freeze put in place by Trump is lifted, agencies will only be allowed to replace one in every four employees who leave, and hiring will be restricted to areas of highest need.
Additionally, agencies will be unable to fill vacancies for career positions unless DOGE team leaders approve the decision, unless the department head determines the position should be filled. DOGE leaders at each agency will submit monthly hiring reports to DOGE.
The federal workforce, which is approximately 2.4 million strong, has already been deeply impacted by Trump’s policies, causing concern among public service employees. The president has made efforts to dismantle certain programs and agencies, while Musk’s representatives have been granted access to federal systems and departments. Although some of the administration’s plans have been temporarily blocked by courts, the reduction in force notice had been expected.
Last week, the Trump administration announced widespread layoffs for federal employees who did not take up the offer of deferred resignation, though this offer has been paused by a federal judge. More than 65,000 workers have accepted the resignation offer, but the White House had aimed for 5% to 10% of the workforce to resign.
The executive order calls for prioritizing cuts in federal offices that President Trump has targeted since taking office, particularly those focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as operations or programs that his administration has suspended or shut down. Additionally, departments are required to assess which divisions or entire agencies could be eliminated or merged if their functions are no longer required by law, according to a White House fact sheet.
The order specifies that reductions will not affect areas related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.
In the past three weeks, Trump has directed that employees working in federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility offices be placed on paid administrative leave. He has also moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, although a federal judge has temporarily blocked this action. On Sunday, employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau were informed that the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters would be closed for the week, and they should work remotely instead.