Trump directs federal agencies to plan massive layoffs as Musk meets cabinet

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to cut approximately 65 percent of staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of his administration’s broader effort to downsize the federal workforce.

A memo issued Wednesday directed government agencies to prepare for further layoffs, adding to the 100,000 federal employees who have already been fired or accepted buyouts.

The directive, signed by White House Budget Director Russell Vought and Acting Office of Personnel Management Chief Charles Ezell, calls for “significant reductions” but does not specify exact numbers.

Agencies must submit their plans by March 13, one day before current government funding is set to expire.

This move is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk attended Wednesday's cabinet meeting, where he outlined his push to reduce the federal budget by USD 1 trillion from the current USD 6.7 trillion.

Musk also called on the US government to "move quickly" to reduce the federal budget deficit.

His aggressive downsizing efforts have already led to disruptions in infrastructure projects and halted scientific research across multiple agencies, according to Reuters. 

Musk’s efforts to streamline federal operations have sparked internal resistance. His recent directive requiring all 2.3 million federal employees to justify their jobs was met with backlash, with some agencies advising staff to ignore the request.

Nonetheless, Musk has continued pressing for responses, and Trump suggested that failure to comply could result in termination.