The U.S. Department of Defense will reduce its civilian workforce by at least five percent, starting next week, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
This move is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to cut government payrolls. The administration has already begun laying off thousands of federal workers on probationary status, and the cuts at the Defense Department, the largest employer in the U.S., will primarily target newly hired employees.
Darin Selnick, who is performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, explained in a statement, “We anticipate reducing the department’s civilian workforce by 5-8 percent to improve efficiency and realign the department with the president’s priorities, particularly in restoring force readiness.” He added, “Approximately 5,400 probationary workers will be released starting next week as part of this initial effort, followed by a hiring freeze as we reassess our personnel needs.”
With the Department of Defense employing over 900,000 civilians, a five percent reduction would result in the loss of more than 45,000 jobs.
The day before the announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in a video message that it was “not in the public interest” to retain individuals whose work is not essential to the mission. “Common sense tells us where to begin — with poor performers among our probationary employees,” Hegseth said.
