In an effort to streamline the federal government, the Trump administration directed agencies to dismiss most probationary employees lacking civil service protection. This action, originating from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), could affect hundreds of thousands of individuals who have typically served less than a year. The OPM clarified that the probationary period is part of the ongoing job application process, not a guarantee of permanent employment. Agencies are acting independently, aligning with the recent hiring freeze and President Trump's broader restructuring goals.

The impact is being felt even within the OPM, with dozens of its probationary staff informed of their dismissal and asked to leave the building within 30 minutes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also announced the termination of over 1,000 employees, a move projected to save over $98 million annually, redirecting funds towards veteran healthcare and benefits. These layoffs are part of a broader initiative led by President Trump and Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Giving Everyone (DOGE), to tackle government waste and inefficiency.

Probationary workers across various agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Energy Department, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Education, have been affected by these dismissals. The VA emphasized that the majority of its 43,000 probationary employees are exempt from these actions due to their critical roles in supporting veteran services or being protected by collective bargaining agreements.

VA Secretary Doug Collins assured that these actions will not negatively impact veteran care and benefits. The VA plans to announce further plans for utilizing the saved resources to support veterans and their families. The dismissals are effective immediately, with affected employees having been notified. Mitigation measures are in place to minimize service disruptions, and exemption requests can be made through designated representatives.