The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), responsible for managing the US federal workforce, is now facing job cuts after HR leaders from the Trump administration paved the way for federal workforce reductions. Reports suggest that job cuts could range from 30 to 70 per cent of the agency’s 3,000 employees.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory body of which he is the head, is pushing for substantial staff reductions at the OPM.
As a result, many projects at OPM are on hold, as leadership awaits clarity on which positions will be eliminated. This move comes after previous initiatives by the Trump administration to cut government jobs, including converting career civil servants to political appointees, implementing a hiring freeze across federal agencies, and forcing employees back to the office full-time.
Among the most controversial policies was the deferred resignation programme, which allowed government workers to stay on payroll until September if they resigned by 6 February. Critics foresee issues with the programme, with some questioning its legality.
OPM staff have expressed shock over the potential layoffs, sparking protests against Musk’s DOGE. Demonstrators have strongly opposed the same accusing Musk of overreach. Just days earlier, Musk also targeted USAID, calling it a “criminal organisation” on social media, drawing further attention to his push for changes in the federal government.
In response, New York Attorney General Letitia James has urged federal employees to collaborate with unions to protect their rights. She warned that reducing the federal workforce could harm the quality of public services.
Labour unions, including the National Federation of Federal Employees, have also voiced concerns, advising members not to resign under the deferred resignation programme, citing uncertainty and questioning its legality.
