Thousands of federal government employees have been impacted by the recent changes in the administration's policies. The White House and various government agencies have initiated significant workforce reductions and freezes on federal grant funds, affecting employees across different departments.
One of the proposals put forth was a 'deferred resignation' offer to federal workers, which was later blocked by a federal judge. Additionally, probationary employees, those with less than a year of service, have faced widespread layoffs, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.
Specific departments have also experienced significant changes. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the dismissal of over 1,000 employees, including researchers working on critical areas such as cancer treatment and opioid addiction. The Education Department saw the termination of at least 39 employees, with nearly $900 million in cuts to its Institute of Education Services.
The Energy Department initially laid off hundreds of employees working on nuclear weapons programs, but later rescinded the decision. The Department of Health and Human Services is facing potential layoffs of more than 5,000 probationary employees, impacting agencies like the CDC and NIH.
Furthermore, the National Park Service fired around 1,000 newly hired employees, while the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was ordered to halt its operations. The Agriculture Department announced upcoming layoffs, and foreign aid and development programs faced funding freezes, impacting humanitarian efforts worldwide.
The administration's actions have also affected inspectors general, with at least 17 being fired. The Department of Justice dismissed employees involved in criminal prosecutions, and the State Department witnessed the departure of senior career diplomats from various positions.
These changes have raised concerns among lawmakers and employee unions, with debates over the legality and implications of the administration's decisions. The impact of these workforce reductions and freezes on federal agencies and employees continues to unfold as the administration's policies evolve.
