Pentagon to lay off 76,000 civilians under Trump's directive
The Pentagon has announced plans to lay off up to 76,000 civilian employees as part of a cost-reduction strategy. This decision aligns with President Trump's campaign to reduce bureaucracy within the federal government.
What you need to know
- The layoffs are part of a cost-reduction campaign, in accordance with a memorandum signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
- The planned redundancies could affect up to 76,000 of the current 950,000 civilian employees of the Department of Defense.
- Details are expected by 11th April.
Details of the layoff plan
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum aimed at reducing the number of civilian employees at the Pentagon. The plan includes layoffs of 5 to 8 percent of the workforce, meaning approximately 76,000 out of 950,000 people.
This decision targets civilian employees and is part of a broader strategy by President Trump's administration to streamline the federal government.
Alternatives for employees
To mitigate the impacts of the layoffs, Hegseth proposed implementing a "deferred retirement programme" and allowing eligible civil servants to retire early voluntarily. The Department of Defense leadership is also expected to provide him with a 'proposal for the future organisational chart' of the departments by 11th April.
Broader implications for the federal government
The first agency targeted by Trump's campaign was the CIA, where employees were offered the option to leave with eight months' salary.
From his first day in office, Donald Trump began implementing the promised changes. Following his decisions, a hiring freeze was placed on new government employees and new regulations could not be enacted until the administration gained full control over the federal government.
Source: "The Moscow Times", Onet
