Is the Federal Workforce Facing Its Biggest Shakeup Yet—With or Without Elon Musk?

Elon Musk may be stepping back from his role in the White House’s DOGE office, but the federal workforce isn’t out of the woods. In fact, the most aggressive job cuts are just beginning—and they’re getting smarter. From legal battles over abrupt firings to new strategies like "deferred resignations," the government’s workforce reduction plan is evolving. Let’s dive in.

💥 The First Wave: Chaos and Backlash

• Probationary Workers Targeted: DOGE’s initial cuts focused on employees in new roles (often with less than two years of service), leading to high-profile rehirings, like nuclear stockpile specialists and bird flu researchers.
• Legal Whiplash: A March 2025 court order forced DOGE to reinstate thousands of workers, citing procedural flaws in termination notices.
• Brutal Numbers: The Department of Education slashed 50% of its workforce (1,300+ jobs), while the Small Business Administration cut 43%.

✅ Round Two: A More Calculated Approach

• Structured Reductions (RIFs): Agencies are now crafting Reduction-in-Force plans that follow strict federal guidelines, potentially avoiding legal pitfalls. "The courts did DOGE a favor by forcing them to slow down," says Michele Evermore of the Century Foundation.
• Voluntary Exits (DRPs): Deferred Resignation Programs offer months of paid leave to workers who quit voluntarily. At the IRS, over 10,000 employees applied for the latest DRP round.
• Targeted Cuts: The Department of Health and Human Services aims to eliminate 10,000 roles, focusing on specific programs rather than blanket terminations.

⚠️ Legal Battles and Worker Dilemmas

• Union Resistance: The National Treasury Employees Union vows to fight cuts through "every legal avenue," arguing they destabilize critical government functions.
• DRP Risks: Employment attorney Alan Lescht warns that opting for deferred resignation forfeits reinstatement rights and may offer smaller payouts than RIF severance.
• Uncertain Legal Ground: Georgetown Law’s David Super notes that while some RIFs may survive challenges, "agencies rushing cuts could repeat past mistakes."

🚀 Final Thoughts: Will Strategy Trump Chaos?

The DOGE office’s next moves hinge on two factors:

• 📈 Precision Over Speed: Methodical RIFs could withstand lawsuits—if agencies avoid procedural errors.
• ⚖️ Worker Choices: Will federal employees take buyouts, or stay and gamble on flawed RIFs?

One thing’s clear: Musk’s exit hasn’t stopped the cuts. If anything, the machinery he set in motion is just warming up. What’s your take—are these cuts a necessary trim or a dangerous dismantling?

Let us know on X (Former Twitter)

Sources: Ayelet Sheffey and Juliana Kaplan. DOGE's deepest cuts to federal jobs are still to come — with or without Elon Musk, April 2025. https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-leaving-doge-firings-rifs-trump-federal-workforce-cuts-2025-4