Over 1,000 NOAA employees face layoffs under President Trump’s federal overhaul, while the VA plans to cut 80,000 jobs, raising bipartisan concerns about climate science and veterans’ services.
According to an individual acquainted with the matter, the United States government agency responsible for weather forecasts is preparing for yet another round of widespread layoffs as part of President Trump’s strategy to reduce the size of the federal civil service. This information was revealed on Sunday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is responsible for climate research and other scientific endeavors, has already laid off 1,300 employees, and another 1,029 are slated for layoffs.
Since the beginning of the year, the agency’s headcount has shrunk by around 20% due to two rounds of layoffs and a buyout program. News outlets CBS and the New York Times broke the story of the impending layoffs.
As part of his historic effort to reform the government, President Trump has ordered all U.S. government agencies to devise plans for layoffs by March 13. Researchers and scientists have been sounding the alarm about how NOAA cutbacks could hinder vital climate research and endanger the lives of Americans.
Worries about layoffs at other government agencies have also been voiced.
Plans to lay off more than 80,000 employees at the politically delicate Department of Veterans Affairs have prompted concerns from veterans groups, Democrats, and even some Republicans that these cuts would jeopardize veterans’ access to healthcare and other services.
Reuters has learned from an internal agency document that layoffs might start as early as June.
A link to VA Secretary Doug Collins’ recent opinion post in The Hill, in which he justified the cuts as “thorough and thoughtful,” was sent in response to a request for comment by the VA.
More than 100,000 individuals have been let go from the 2.3 million-member federal civilian workforce as a result of the first phase of Trump and his adviser Elon Musk’s cost-cutting effort. Musk is the wealthiest person in the world. A second round of budget cuts is being planned by several agencies, including the VA. The VA offers healthcare and other services to about 15.8 million veterans in the United States.
The VA layoffs are extremely severe, even when compared to other departments that have been eliminated due to Musk’s agenda. This is because the VA is responsible for the care of veterans, a population that usually has the backing of both Republicans and Democrats in the United States.
The necessity for federal government efficiency is a point on which Republicans and Democrats can agree, but Musk’s campaign has taken heat. The concept of laying off tens of thousands of federal employees is opposed by almost 57% of respondents to a Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted last week.
Employees of the federal government are subject to severe spending limits, including indefinite prohibitions on buying staple office goods.
According to an official email acquired by Reuters, at least some employees at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services were instructed to discontinue using government “purchase cards” for 30 days, with limits restricted to $1. These cards were used to pay for equipment and other expenses.
A request for comment was not promptly addressed by the Department of Homeland Security, the agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
Luis Gochoco is a seasoned managing editor and writer with over a decade of experience covering politics, technology, gaming, and entertainment news. With a keen eye for breaking stories and in-depth analysis, he has established himself as a trusted voice in digital journalism. Luis is one of the key forces behind the success of GameNGuide, contributing to 12 million views through engaging and high-traffic content. He also played a pivotal role in generating 8 million views on International Business Times, shaping the platform’s technology and gaming coverage.
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