The Trump administration has announced sweeping job cuts, eliminating more than 11,000 positions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Pentagon as part of a broader effort to shrink the federal workforce.
IRS Staff Reductions Amid Tax Season
Approximately 6,000 IRS employees were laid off on Thursday, a move that comes at a critical time as millions of Americans prepare to file their tax returns. The affected positions, largely probationary roles, were deemed “non-essential” for the tax-filing season, according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.
Most taxpayers face an April 15 deadline to submit their returns, though some may qualify for extensions. The timing of the cuts has raised concerns about potential disruptions to tax processing and customer service. This reduction occurs during a busy tax-filing season, potentially affecting the agency’s ability to process returns and assist taxpayers efficiently. Additionally, Acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell is set to retire after a 38-year tenure, adding to the agency’s transitional challenges.
Pentagon Workforce Reduction
The Department of Defense (DoD) announced plans to eliminate over 5,000 probationary positions, with layoffs commencing next week. This move aims to reduce the nearly one million civilian employees within the department by 5%. A hiring freeze will also be implemented to prevent the addition of new staff during this period. These measures are expected to impact various support roles, including administrative and maintenance positions.
According to Darin Selnick, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
“We anticipate reducing the Department’s civilian workforce by 5-8% to improve efficiency and refocus on the President’s priorities while restoring readiness in the force.”
President Donald Trump’s administration is also firing thousands of federal workers who have fewer civil service protections. For instance, roughly 2,000 employees were cut from the U.S. Forest Service, in addition to the 6,000 people were let go at the IRS.
Broader Implications
These job cuts are part of a broader federal reform initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created during President Trump’s administration. Elon Musk, leading DOGE, has established performance assessments throughout federal agencies, increasing the drive for efficiency. Nonetheless, certain departments, referring to the delicate nature of their tasks, have opposed these instructions as reported by BBC.
Specialists caution that these layoffs may lead to significant economic consequences, potentially influencing services from tax processing to the upkeep of national parks. The complete impact of these changes is yet to be determined as the administration persists in its efforts to reorganize the federal workforce.
