The White House has directed all federal agencies to prepare for extensive layoffs of government employees by “eliminating unnecessary positions.”
In alignment with a campaign promise made by Donald Trump, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is urging federal agencies to implement a voluntary exit program, refrain from replacing scheduled departures, and terminate staff identified as “underperforming.”
Exceptions to this directive will be made for law enforcement agencies, immigration policy departments, postal services, and military personnel.
The directive also establishes a specific timeline for agencies that provide “direct services to citizens,” particularly highlighting retirement systems, health care programs for the underprivileged and elderly, as well as veteran health care services.
For all other agencies, the initial phase must be completed by March 13. During this phase, agencies are required to reduce their branches and compile a list of essential needs necessary to fulfill their mission while identifying non-essential employees.
The second phase, due by April 14, will focus on restructuring each agency, evaluating employee performance assessments, and considering relocating certain operations to “less expensive regions” outside the federal capital, Washington, D.C.
Previously, the U.S. government initiated a voluntary departure plan influenced by billionaire Elon Musk, which offered federal employees the opportunity to leave their positions while retaining their salaries for over six months. According to the White House, more than 75,000 employees accepted this offer out of approximately two million.
