Trump's Order Empowers DOGE as Agencies Prepare for Mass Layoffs

What Happened?

Federal agency leaders have been informed to prepare for large-scale layoffs after the Trump administration's newly signed executive order.

The actions, known as reductions in force, or RIFs, will reportedly work with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to carry out the layoff mandate.

'The people voted for major government reform, and that's what the people are going to get,' Musk stated Tuesday while in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump.

Billionaire Musk has sparked tons of criticism among those on Capitol Hill in his role aimed at reshaping federal government operations.

The order outlines limits to federal departments’ ability to hire more staffers and mandates agency leaders coordinate future hiring plans with their DOGE contact person.

Concluding the hiring freeze, agencies will only be allowed to replace one of every four employees who leave, according to the order.

Hiring will also be restricted to the areas of top priority.

This news comes after the National Treasury Employees Union filed two lawsuits amid attempts to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and allow DOGE access to sensitive company records.

Acting director Russell Vought reportedly ordered CFPB staff members to halt almost all of their work activity over the weekend in a series of issued directives.

The Trump administration previously announced eight-month buyout offers to all federal employees who opt to leave their jobs in a memo sent out by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

It marked an unprecedented move as President Trump and his administration aim to shrink the U.S. government and swiftly address federal spending.

Why it Matters

So far, DOGE has claimed it's saving the federal government nearly $1 billion per day by taking these actions.

Trump issued a previous executive order that claimed 'the former Biden administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs' under DEI titles into all aspects of the federal government.

Four nonprofit groups challenged the sweeping measures imposed by the Office of Management and Budget and claimed they were illegal.

Those who support the CFPB have reportedly applauded the return of tens of billions of dollars to consumers since established through the Dodd-Frank Act amid the 2008 U.S. financial crisis.

The Trump administration still pushes forward despite other legal challenges amid attempts to keep 611 USAID employees after thousands were told they'd be placed on leave.

How it Affects You

Many challenging Trump's actions have deemed them 'unconstitutional' and questioned the validity behind some actions.

Although congressional approval would still be required for many of these measures, pressure is growing among House and Senate leaders.

This may queue up the Supreme Court to issue an opinion as challenges are piling behind the fast-tracked movements of DOGE and the Trump administration.