It’s been a wild ride for the federal workforce lately. Honestly, if you’ve been following the news, it feels like every other day there’s a new headline about "Schedule F" or some massive reorganization. But what’s actually going on behind the scenes with the Trump administration firings government workers? Is the "Deep State" being dismantled, or is the basic plumbing of the government just getting clogged?
The reality is messy. It’s not just one big firing line; it’s a mix of executive orders, "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) initiatives, and a whole lot of legal drama in the courts.
The Rebirth of Schedule F (and Its New Name)
Basically, on day one, the administration brought back a policy that everyone thought was dead. It used to be called Schedule F, but now it's often referred to as Schedule Policy/Career.
The goal? Reclassify tens of thousands of career civil servants as "at-will" employees.
Usually, if you work for the government, you have these massive protections. You can’t just be fired because a new boss doesn't like your tie or your politics. You have to have a "for cause" reason, and there’s a long appeals process. This new order strips that away for people in "policy-determining" roles. The administration argues this is about accountability—making sure the people at the top actually follow the president's agenda. Critics, like the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), say it’s just a way to purge anyone who isn't a "loyalist."
Why the numbers are so confusing
You’ll hear some people say 50,000 workers are being targeted. Others say it’s hundreds of thousands.
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- The 50,000 estimate: This comes from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). It’s their "conservative" guess of how many roles involve enough policy influence to fit the new category.
- The 149,000+ figure: The New York Times and other trackers have looked at "planned reductions," which include buyouts and agency shutdowns, not just direct firings.
- The 300,000 "announced" layoffs: Some reports linked to DOGE initiatives suggest even deeper cuts across the board to "drain the swamp."
The "DOGE" Effect and Probationary Purges
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been the faces of this "efficiency" push. It’s been… unconventional.
Back in February 2025, a directive went out to fire almost all probationary employees. These are people who have been on the job for less than a year (or sometimes two, depending on the agency). Because they are still in their "trial period," they have almost zero legal protection.
It was a bloodbath.
Thousands of young professionals at the Department of Education, the SBA, and even the FBI got letters saying their "skills do not meet the current needs." No evidence of poor performance was needed. Just a "thanks, but no thanks."
Interestingly, the administration also used a "deferred resignation" program. Basically, they offered people a chunk of money to leave quietly by mid-February 2025. About 75,000 workers took the deal. If you’re a mid-career scientist and you see the writing on the wall, a six-figure buyout starts looking pretty good.
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What’s Happening in the Courts?
You can't just fire 10% of the government without a fight. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions have been filing lawsuits faster than OPM can print pink slips.
A few things have actually stuck:
- The Shutdown Reversals: In late 2025, a federal judge ordered the administration to nullify firings at the State Department and GSA that happened during the government shutdown. Why? Because the law that ended the shutdown specifically prohibited "reductions in force" during that period.
- The "Inoperative" Rule Fight: The Biden administration had put in a "shield" rule to prevent Schedule F. The Trump team tried to just say that rule was "inoperative." A few judges have wagged their fingers at that, saying you have to actually go through the "notice and comment" process to get rid of a regulation. You can't just "wish" it away with an executive order.
- The Nuclear Scramble: This was a weird one. At the National Nuclear Security Administration, they fired hundreds of people, only to realize they accidentally fired the guys who make sure the nukes don't, you know, leak. They had to frantically rescind those firings within days.
Is the Government Actually Running?
That depends on who you ask.
If you're waiting for a Social Security check or trying to get a VA claim processed, things have slowed down significantly. The Social Security Administration saw major staff cuts, and wait times are skyrocketing.
But if you're in an industry that felt "over-regulated," you might think this is great. The administration claims they’ve saved billions of dollars and cut through mountains of red tape.
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One bizarre side effect? The "Paid Leave" limbo. An analysis by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) estimated that the government spent $10 billion in 2025 paying people to not work. These were employees the administration didn't want in the building but couldn't legally fire yet. They were put on "administrative leave" indefinitely. It’s an expensive way to bench your own team.
The Outlook for 2026
We aren't done yet. The 2026 Presidential Management Agenda (PMA) suggests the administration is looking to "eliminate programs viewed as ideologically objectionable."
Expect to see more pressure on:
- Climate Change Offices: These are basically being zeroed out.
- DEI Positions: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices are being shuttered across every agency.
- The IRS: After the big funding boost under Biden, the new administration is looking to claw back that money and the staff that came with it.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
If you're a federal worker or someone who deals with the government, here’s the ground truth:
- Document Everything: If you're a career fed, keep copies of your "stellar" performance reviews. If a firing comes, you'll need them for the inevitable class-action lawsuits.
- Watch the "Reductions in Force" (RIF): This is the more "legal" way to fire people by getting rid of entire job categories. It's slower but harder to fight in court.
- Prepare for Delays: If you need a passport, a small business loan, or a tax ruling, double your expected wait time. The "institutional memory" of these agencies is walking out the door.
- Check the Job Postings: Ironically, while they are firing thousands, they are also hiring for new "Schedule Policy" roles. If you're "aligned with the mission," there's actually a lot of movement.
The Trump administration firings government workers story isn't just about politics; it's about a fundamental shift in how the U.S. government functions. We are moving from a "merit-based" civil service that stays the same regardless of who is in the White House to a system that looks much more like a corporate takeover. Whether that's "efficient" or "chaotic" usually depends on which side of the pink slip you’re on.
Stay updated on the latest court rulings from the FLRA (Federal Labor Relations Authority), as they recently reached a quorum and will be deciding the fate of thousands of pending labor disputes in the coming months.