The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was among the first agencies to publicly confirm the layoffs, announcing that over 1,000 probationary employees in non-“mission-critical” roles were let go on Thursday.
“These dismissals are part of a government-wide initiative by the Trump administration to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the American people,” the VA said in a statement.
While the exact number of affected employees remains uncertain, government data indicates that more than 200,000 recently hired workers are currently serving probationary periods. Unlike permanent federal employees, those on probation have fewer civil service protections, making them more vulnerable to termination.
According to U.S. media reports, federal agency heads have been directed to dismiss most trial-period employees. One former worker from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), speaking anonymously, described being fired via a video call attended by nearly 100 employees. Those laid off were informed they were being dismissed for performance-related reasons.
Shortly after the call, the employee received an official termination letter from acting OPM Director Charles Ezell, and access to government systems was revoked within the hour.
Neither OPM nor the White House provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
These layoffs follow a White House initiative, spearheaded by OPM, offering federal employees eight months of severance pay if they voluntarily resigned. The email, titled “Fork in the Road,” warned that those who declined the offer could face termination in future downsizing efforts.
The White House reported that more than 65,000 federal employees accepted the buyout.
A Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employee who accepted the resignation offer shared concerns over job security.
“This was my dream job,” the employee said. “But it became clear that the writing was on the wall. I took the best option available to give myself time to find a new position.”
HUD officials have yet to comment on the situation.
Would you like any refinements or a different headline angle?
