Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza: The total number of Palestinians killed due to famine and malnutrition has risen to 217, including 100 children
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza: Hospitals in the Gaza Strip recorded five new deaths due to starvation in the past few hours, including two children
Tehran Times: Iran and the United States are ready to start new negotiations.
The source told SANA that the government calls on the SDF to engage in implementing the March 10 agreement and urges international mediators to move all negotiations to Damascus.
The source told SANA that the conference violates the commitments the Syrian government has begun implementing, including the formation of a transitional justice body and the dialogue process.
A Syrian source told SANA that the government considers this conference an attempt to internationalize Syrian affairs, invite foreign intervention, and reimpose sanctions.
A Syrian government source told SANA that the Syrian government will not participate in planned meetings with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Paris.
TASS news agency, citing a Kremlin official: Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle on Zahrani - Tyre Highway.
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.

Mass federal layoffs underway amid Trump, Musk US gov. purge

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Feb 2025 22:40
3 Min Read

Scores of government employees, mostly recently hired and still on probation, have received termination emails in the last 48 hours.

Listen
  • x
  • Mass federal layoffs begin as Trump, Musk purge US gov't
    People rally against the policies of Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the US Capitol in Washington, on February 12, 2025. (AP)

Mass firings at multiple US government agencies are underway as President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk fast-track their purge of America's federal bureaucracy, union sources and employees familiar with the layoffs told Reuters on Thursday.

Scores of government employees, mostly recently hired and still on probation, have received termination emails in the last 48 hours from the Education Department, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages many federal buildings.

On Thursday, it remained unclear how many government employees would lose their jobs in the initial round of layoffs. However, the action meets Trump's promise to shrink the size of the federal government and eliminate the "deep state", a reference to officials he believes are not sufficiently loyal to him.

"The Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment with the Agency," letters written to at least 45 probationers at the SBA said.

Letters to at least 160 recent Education Department personnel, obtained by Reuters, informed them that their continuing employment "would not be in the public interest."

Related News

Trump sends National Guard to address 'rising crime' in DC

Azerbaijan, Armenia release text of US-brokered peace deal

During his presidential campaign, Trump regularly advocated for the dissolution of the Education Department.

On Wednesday, he labeled it a "con job" and stated that he wanted it closed.

According to two sources familiar with the firings, the GSA issued termination letters to around 100 probationary staffers on Wednesday.

According to government data, over 280,000 civilian government workers were employed less than two years ago, with the majority still on probation.

Musk & Trump: A power play or business bonanza?

A new article by the Financial Times highlights Elon Musk’s expanding role at the heart of the US government, which has sparked criticism and raised concerns that it could benefit his businesses while disadvantaging competitors.

Musk’s six companies already benefit from approximately $20 billion in government contracts, in addition to multiple subsidies. The billionaire has insisted these contracts were awarded on merit and have delivered value for taxpayers. However, after donating more than $250 million to Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, Musk now leads a cost-cutting initiative across federal agencies—including those that have previously investigated or penalized his companies, Tesla and SpaceX.

The aggressive push by Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending has largely unfolded on X, where he frequently highlights what he deems wasteful government expenditures. Major Trump administration announcements are now made on the platform, which Musk also uses to attack critics.

  • Donald Trump
  • Elon Musk
  • United States
  • US economy

Most Read

Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
India halts $3.6B Boeing deal after Trump slaps harsh tariffs

India halts $3.6bln Boeing deal following Trump's harsh tariffs

  • Economy
  • 6 Aug 2025
Hezbollah says disarming Resistance is a blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach

  • Politics
  • 6 Aug 2025
Two Resistance fighters detonating an Israeli Merkava at point-blank (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Palestinian Resistance destroys Israeli military vehicles across Gaza

  • Politics
  • 4 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Palestinians mourn their relatives who were killed while trying to reach aid trucks entering northern Gaza, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu's remarks aim to whitewash Israeli crimes in Gaza: Hamas

Mobile launcher of the RS-24 Yars complex, which is the basis for the Oreshnik missile. (Agencies)
Politics

Russia built missile arsenal during INF deployment freeze: Deputy FM

Iran: No decision on US nuclear talks, reaffirms position on Zangezur
Politics

Iran: No decision on US nuclear talks, reaffirms position on Zangezur

UN Security Council convenes over Israeli plot to occupy Gaza Strip
Politics

UN Security Council convenes over Israeli plot to occupy Gaza Strip

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS