Reuters on Friday reported that thousands of federal employees across multiple US government agencies have been dismissed as part of President Donald Trump's sweeping effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy—a campaign spearheaded by his adviser, Elon Musk. The cuts, affecting departments responsible for nuclear security, public lands, and health programs, have already resulted in the loss of more than 9,500 jobs in the past week, with additional layoffs expected.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has been significantly affected, with between 1,200 and 2,000 employees dismissed, including hundreds working in the division that oversees the nation's nuclear stockpile. The Department of the Interior has also seen substantial reductions, with 2,300 workers fired, impacting oversight of 500 million acres of public land, national parks, and offshore oil and gas leasing programs. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lost nearly one-third of its staff, approximately 1,300 employees, raising concerns about the country's ability to respond to public health emergencies. Additional dismissals have taken place at the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Education, and the Small Business Administration, with further cuts expected in regulatory agencies that oversee finance and industry.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) advised federal agencies to prioritize the dismissal of probationary employees, who make up a significant portion of recent hires and can be fired without extensive legal procedures. However, sources indicate that permanent staff may also be targeted in future rounds of layoffs.

Government Overhaul

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The scale of the dismissals has led to growing concerns about national security and government functionality. A former senior DOE official warned that reducing staff responsible for overseeing the US nuclear arsenal could create vulnerabilities in security and maintenance protocols. At the CDC, public health experts have cautioned that the loss of 1,300 employees could undermine the agency's ability to respond to future pandemics or bioterror threats. 

The restructuring effort has been largely shaped by Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team has conducted sweeping job audits across federal agencies. Unlike traditional government reform initiatives, Musk has relied on tech engineers—many of whom lack experience in public administration—rather than experienced policy professionals. Critics argue that Musk's push to slash federal oversight aligns with his business interests in artificial intelligence, energy, and space exploration.

Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, questioned the motives behind these cuts, stating, "That's really what this whole thing is really all about. It's getting government out of the way of industry and incredibly rich people, which is why Elon Musk is so excited about this."

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

The layoffs have sparked legal and political challenges. Federal employee unions are preparing lawsuits arguing that the firings violate labor protections and due process rights. Congressional Democrats have accused Trump of overstepping executive authority, stating that only Congress has the power to regulate federal agency budgets. While Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, have largely supported the cuts, some have expressed concerns over Musk's expanding role in government decision-making.

Despite criticism, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed concerns over the mass layoffs, describing the firings as part of an "audit-like process" to improve efficiency. Speaking to Fox Business Network, he rejected what he called "hysteria" over the restructuring, insisting that the government must be run more like a lean private-sector business.