Trump lays off over 20,000 federal employees, including 7,000 IRS workers and 5,600 USAID staff: Full list of affected agencies and top officials – The Times of India
The Trump administration is implementing one of the largest government workforce reductions in recent history, laying off over 20,000 federal employees across multiple agencies. This sweeping plan, part of a broader effort to cut government spending, has seen massive cuts at critical agencies, including the IRS, USAID, FEMA, and the EPA. Thousands of workers are being let go, with many citing concerns over the long-term effects these reductions will have on government efficiency and public services.
In addition to the layoffs, several high-ranking officials have been dismissed or reassigned as part of the government’s restructuring efforts. While some of these terminations are part of a legal strategy to address inefficiencies and budgetary concerns, others have raised questions regarding the legality and fairness of such actions. As reported by Forbes, federal agencies are grappling with the uncertainty of how these layoffs will affect their operations moving forward.
Affected agencies and the scope of layoffs
The mass layoffs have impacted federal employees across various sectors, with some agencies facing drastic reductions in workforce. The largest cuts have been seen in the following agencies:
Internal Revenue Service (IRS): As part of the reduction, approximately 7,000 workers at the IRS have been laid off. The cuts, which come at the peak of the tax season, have been criticized for potentially slowing down taxpayer assistance services. According to The Washington Post, more than 110 IRS offices are also set to close, leading to concerns over a significant reduction in the agency’s ability to assist taxpayers effectively.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Around 5,600 employees at USAID were given just 15-minute windows on February 26-27, 2025, to vacate their offices. The mass layoffs align with the Trump administration’s directive to reduce foreign assistance, which has drawn backlash from advocacy groups and lawmakers. The layoffs have effectively put the agency into a near shutdown mode, freezing international aid programs critical to global development.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): President Trump’s administration has directed cuts of up to 65% of EPA staff. While some of these reductions are tied to rolling back environmental regulations, others stem from a broader strategy to eliminate what the White House has deemed “excessive” federal employment. According to Forbes, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has pushed for a leaner workforce, but the cuts are expected to severely impact the agency’s ability to enforce environmental protection standards across the nation.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Over 240 TSA employees were laid off in February 2025. The layoffs were reportedly due to performance and conduct issues during their probationary period, as explained by TSA spokesperson Robert Langston to Bloomberg. This move has raised concerns regarding the potential weakening of airport security, particularly during the peak travel season.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): In what has been described as a targeted effort to reduce the federal footprint in climate-related initiatives, Trump has directed FEMA to identify employees involved in “climate, environmental justice, equity and DEIA initiatives” for potential layoffs. The directive, which affects FEMA’s resilience office, has raised alarms regarding the federal government’s commitment to disaster preparedness and response. According to CNN, these cuts could impact a significant portion of FEMA’s workforce, undermining its ability to mitigate risks and assist communities in disaster recovery.
Overview of other affected agencies
In addition to the major agencies already mentioned, several others are experiencing cuts that could reshape the federal government’s operations:
Legal battles and challenges to mass firings
The mass layoffs have prompted several lawsuits, with labor unions and government watchdogs challenging the legality of the terminations. As reported by Forbes, US District Judge William Alsup recently ruled that the Trump administration’s mass firing of probationary employees was likely illegal. Judge Alsup’s ruling, issued on February 27, 2025, mandated that the Office of Personnel Management rescind its directives, which had set the groundwork for these layoffs. Legal experts suggest that these challenges could delay or alter the scope of the ongoing workforce cuts.
In addition, multiple unions have filed lawsuits, claiming that the layoffs violate federal rules and protections for workers. The unions argue that the terminations are not based on individualized causes, as required by federal law for probationary employees, and instead constitute a broad, sweeping reduction in force that bypasses legal protocol.
The impact of workforce reductions on federal operations
While Trump’s government workforce reduction plan is seen as part of a broader push for fiscal responsibility and efficiency, many experts are concerned about its long-term consequences. The loss of thousands of employees in key agencies, such as the IRS and FEMA, could weaken the government’s ability to deliver essential services to the public. According to Forbes, some experts have warned that these cuts may lead to inefficiencies in handling tax issues, disaster response, and international aid.
Additionally, the dismantling of critical oversight bodies, including the removal of inspectors general, has raised concerns about increased corruption and lack of accountability within federal agencies. Critics argue that without independent watchdogs, government agencies may become less transparent and more susceptible to mismanagement.
What’s next for Trump’s government cuts?
As part of the continued reduction efforts, Trump has ordered that agency leaders submit plans to further reduce their workforces by March 13, 2025. This directive signals that more layoffs are likely to come, and many agencies are bracing for additional staff cuts in the coming weeks. According to The Washington Post, these cuts could total between 30% and 40% of agency staff across the federal government.
Moreover, Trump’s reinstatement of the Schedule F executive order, which would reclassify tens of thousands of federal employees as at-will employees, adds another layer of complexity to the workforce reductions. This order has been challenged in court by unions, but if upheld, it could make it easier for the administration to dismiss federal workers without cause.
While Trump’s administration insists that these cuts are necessary to streamline government operations and reduce costs, the impact on workers, agency functionality, and public services remains a subject of intense debate. As reported by Forbes, it’s unclear how the federal government will manage the growing workload with a significantly reduced workforce.
