U.S. Government Plans Large-Scale Workforce Reductions Across Agencies 

United States: The U.S. government agency that offers weather forecasts prepares to finalize more comprehensive workforce reductions under President Donald Trump’s civil service reduction initiative, according to a knowledgeable source who spoke on Sunday. 

NOAA Faces Further Staff Reductions 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration faces additional planned workforce reductions of 1,029 employees after already dismissing 1,300 scientists who conducted climate research together with scientific operations, as reported by Reuters. 

The combination of agency workforce reductions through repeated layoffs and voluntary buyout programs has resulted in approximately 20% staffing reduction since January 2017. The New York Times, along with CBS News, initially published the information about these planned employee reductions. 

All U.S. government agencies must create their worker layoff plans before March 13 according to President Donald Trump’s comprehensive government transformation initiative. Research scientists working at NOAA have highlighted the dangers to American safety and the critical hindrance of climate research that results from the agency’s employee reductions. 

Multiple agencies with approved layoff strategies have triggered widespread concern.

NOAA, the federal agency responsible for forecasting the weather and tracking extreme weather events like hurricanes, is looking at 50% employee cut and a 30% budget cut.

In times of crisis, Trump will gladly leave you and your family at risk. pic.twitter.com/zYlr2D7qli

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) February 7, 2025

VA Job Cuts Spark Bipartisan Concerns 

Both veterans groups and Democrats, alongside a few Republican members, fear potential cuts to veterans care and services because the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to eliminate more than 80,000 staff members. 

The agency plans to start employee terminations beginning in June based on information revealed in their internal memo. 

In response to a request for comment, VA provided a link to a recent opinion post in The Hill by VA Secretary Doug Collins, in which he justified the cuts as “thorough and thoughtful.” 

Massive Federal Layoffs Under Trump and Musk’s Cost-Cutting Plan 

Trump together with his finance guru Elon Musk has started a plan to cut costs which resulted in 100,000 job losses from the federal civilian workforce totaling 2.3 million members. The VA leads other agencies to execute additional workforce reductions planned to serve its 15.8 million veteran patients. 

The number of workers laid off at the VA exceeds what Musk has previously implemented elsewhere thus becoming particularly damaging to a department serving veterans who receive strong bipartisan congressional support. 

Criticism emerges against Musk’s campaign since both Republicans and Democrats agree the government should enhance its operational efficiency. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll carried out last week 57% of people rejected the proposal to dismiss tens of thousands of federal employees, as reported by Reuters. 

Spending Restrictions Impact Government Operations 

The federal workforce is limited to major spending restrictions that extend to weeks-long bans for ordering essential office supplies. 

Environmental regulations directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services workers to cease using government purchase cards for equipment purchases and other expenditures because order issued restrictions amounting to $1 purchase limits for a thirty-day period according to an agency email obtained by Reuters.