Trump Admin Orders Agencies to Prep for 'Large-Scale Reductions in Force'

The Trump administration is set to direct federal agency heads to gear up for significant workforce reductions and develop reorganization plans by March 13, according to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital. It seems like the administration is really cracking down on government bloat.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought and acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell will send the memo, instructing agencies to prepare for role eliminations and submit reorganization plans.

However, the memo specifies exemptions for positions vital to law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety. Presidential appointees, officials in the Executive Office, and U.S. Postal Service workers are also excluded.

Titled "guidance on agency RIF and reorganization plans requested by implementing the president’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ workforce optimization initiative," the memo emphasizes the need to address the federal government's cost, inefficiency, and debt.

"The federal government is costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt," the memo states. "At the same time, it is not producing results for the American public."

"Instead, tax dollars are being siphoned off to fund unproductive and unnecessary programs that benefit radical interest groups while hurting hard-working American citizens," it continued. "The American people registered their verdict on the bloated, corrupt federal bureaucracy on November 5, 2024 by voting for President Trump and his promises to sweepingly reform the federal government."

The memo references President Trump's February executive order aimed at eliminating waste and empowering American families, workers, taxpayers, and the government itself. Guess it's time to see if this streamlining actually makes things better or just causes more headaches.

Agency heads are directed to prepare for large-scale reductions in force, consistent with applicable law, and submit reorganization plans by March 13, 2025.

These plans should aim for improved service, increased productivity, a reduction in full-time positions, a smaller real property footprint, and a reduced budget.

OMB and OPM are pushing agencies to eliminate non-statutorily mandated functions and consolidate duplicative areas and management layers.

Agencies are also instructed to reduce reliance on outside consultants and contractors.

Regarding office space, the memo suggests closing or consolidating regional field offices and aligning closures with return-to-office actions to minimize relocation costs.

Phase 1 of reorganization plans is due by March 13, with Phase 2, outlining a vision for more productive agency operations, due by April 14. Implementation is planned by September 30, 2025.