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Elon Musk's DOGE seeking massive layoffs in THIS federal agency

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency plans drastic cuts at the Office of Personnel Management, threatening 70% staff reductions. 

Published on: Feb 4, 2025, 13:19:44 IST
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The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the latest federal agency facing a major slash under Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The Office of Personnel Management faces significant staff reductions under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, with cuts potentially reaching 70%. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo (via REUTERS)
The Office of Personnel Management faces significant staff reductions under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, with cuts potentially reaching 70%. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo (via REUTERS)

Brian Bjelde, a senior DOGE official, has instructed OPM leadership will see a 30 per cent staff cut, with the final reduction reaching up to 70 per cent, per CNN.

“People around OPM look like they have seen a ghost. People are shocked,” a source told Federal News Network.

Officials have also directed OPM, which currently employs approximately 3,000 individuals, to halt work on any projects that are not legally mandated.

ALSO READ| Musk fires back after Reddit users call for public execution of DOGE staff in violent posts, ‘They have broken the law’

DOGE continues sending emails to government personnel to provide them with a deferred resignation pathway. Under this plan, employees keep their federal positions until Thursday, February 6, yet receive complete pay and benefits until September 30.

Protests erupt over Musk's elimination call

Federal workers erupted with intense anger after the release of the ‘Fork in the Road’ memorandum became a notorious document. The start of the workweek brought government facility protests during which demonstrators showed their resistance to Musk's forceful elimination strategy.

Former federal employee Keya Chatterjee, now the executive director of Free D.C., condemned the layoffs, telling USA Today, “Musk can fork off.”

Protesters rallied with slogans such as, “We don't want your tech solutions, give us back our Constitution,” and “Elon, Elon, have you heard? You're a nasty, fascist nerd.”

Opposition to DOGE’s actions has also extended to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where staffers were informed overnight that the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters would be closed.

ALSO READ| Who is Akash Bobba? The 22-year-old Indian-origin prodigy joining Elon Musk's DOGE

Musk, however, defended the move to eliminate USAID. “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die,” he wrote on X.

“Elon can't do and won't do anything without our approval, and we'll give him the approval where appropriate,” Donald Trump backed Tesla boss. “It's something he feels very strongly about.”

  • Tuhin Das Mahapatra
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    Tuhin Das Mahapatra

    Tuhin Das Mahapatra is a key member of the US Team at Hindustan Times, crafting compelling narratives on politics, US visa, Hollywood, esports, anime, and beyond. This erudite literature student, if not penning down a narrative with his modest yet trusty pen, is deeply contemplating 'what the purpose of journalism is?Read More

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