An internal memo from the Trump administration outlines a comprehensive plan to significantly reduce government staffing, including a proposed one-third cut to the Treasury Department’s workforce and a 50% reduction in staff at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Drafted just a week ago, the memo comes in anticipation of upcoming Reductions in Force (RIFs) that are expected to drastically lower government payrolls. Trump has instructed federal agency heads to create their own downsizing plans, with widespread layoffs set to begin next month, according to the Washington Post.
Among the agencies facing substantial cuts are the Small Business Administration, which is expected to see a 43% reduction, and HUD, which will face a 50% cut. The Education Department, under Secretary Linda McMahon, has been directed to reduce its staffing by 50%, potentially saving $6 billion. Additionally, an 8% cut at the Justice Department is projected to save $1.9 billion.
The National Science Foundation, traditionally a bipartisan favorite for funding, is slated for a 28% reduction, while the Commerce Department is facing a 30% cut. At the Treasury Department, which includes the Internal Revenue Service, cuts are anticipated to reach 30%.
Trump’s cabinet officials have praised the cost-cutting measures being implemented by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency during cabinet meetings and public events. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated to DailyMail.com that “the entire cabinet is aligned, supportive, and understands the president’s vision being executed by Elon Musk in partnership with all agencies, including USDA, which has over 100,000 employees.”
Rollins did not address the emails sent to terminated probationary employees, which stated, “based on your performance, you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest.” Some of those dismissed were involved in food inspections, a critical area as the administration manages a bird flu outbreak.
Harrison Fields, when asked to confirm the memo’s contents, stated, “It’s no secret the Trump Administration is dedicated to downsizing the federal bureaucracy and cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.” He added that the document is a pre-deliberative draft and does not accurately reflect final reduction plans, noting that announcements would be made by Cabinet Secretaries at the appropriate time.
At the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a restructuring that will cut 20,000 positions, reducing the workforce from 82,000 to 62,000, which the agency claims will save $1.8 billion. The plan includes cutting 3,500 full-time positions at the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control, and 1,200 at the National Institutes of Health.
Musk discussed potential cost savings with Bret Baier on Fox News, stating, “At a high level, we want to reduce spending by eliminating waste—reduce spending by 15%. Which seems really quite achievable. The government is not efficient, and there is a lot of waste and fraud.” He acknowledged some high-profile mistakes, such as the firing and subsequent rehiring of nuclear safety workers, adding, “When we do make mistakes, we correct them quickly and we move on.”
