Special Poll
The White House has instructed federal agencies to prepare for significant workforce reductions, known as reductions in force (RIF), according to a directive issued Wednesday by the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management.
So far, federal job cuts have primarily affected probationary employees, who are easier to dismiss, but RIFs represent a more drastic measure. Agencies have been given two weeks to develop plans for major layoffs, which typically involve permanently eliminating positions. This directive follows an executive order earlier this month requiring agency heads to prepare for large-scale job reductions.
As part of the process, agencies must submit what the administration calls “Phase 1 Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans” by March 13. These plans must outline how many full-time employees can be cut and estimate the cost savings over the next three years. The guidance specifies that agencies should focus on eliminating non-essential functions while maintaining the most efficient delivery of required services. It emphasizes a “significant reduction” in full-time positions, particularly those not mandated by law.
The federal workforce currently consists of about 2.3 million employees, excluding postal workers, and thousands have already been laid off. The guidance does not specify a percentage target for job cuts but exempts postal workers, military personnel, political appointees, and positions necessary for law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement, or public safety. Any reductions affecting employees providing direct services, such as those in Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ health care, must first undergo review by OMB and OPM.
The memo explains that the goal of these cuts is to consolidate redundant functions, reduce management layers, eliminate “non-critical” positions, and introduce automation to replace routine tasks. Agencies have also been directed to reduce their real estate footprint and overall budget.
Agency heads must work closely with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in executing these plans, though tensions have emerged between agencies and DOGE. Over the weekend, Elon Musk sent an email to federal employees demanding to know what they had accomplished in the past week. When some employees failed to respond, Musk threatened firings. The White House later softened the stance, but President Trump stated on Wednesday that those who did not reply were “on the bubble.”
The reduction of the federal workforce began shortly after Trump took office. Initially, he ordered employees back to in-person work, prompting some resignations. Soon after, workers were given the option of a deferred resignation package, offering eight months of pay for those who left voluntarily. This was followed by terminations of probationary employees, including some long-time workers who had recently changed roles or been promoted. The administration has also dismissed many inspectors general and nearly all staff at USAID.
These latest layoffs could significantly surpass the workforce reductions already implemented, marking a major restructuring of the federal government.