WASHINGTON, Feb 22: The United States Department of Defense will reduce its civilian workforce by at least five percent starting next week, in line with efforts to enhance efficiency and align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.
Quoting an AFP report, Darin Selnick, who is performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, said the Pentagon expects to cut between 5% and 8% of its civilian employees.
The move aims to “produce efficiencies and refocus the department on the president’s priorities and restoring readiness in the force.”
As part of the initial phase, approximately 5,400 probationary employees will be dismissed, followed by a hiring freeze while the department reassesses its staffing needs.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that retaining employees who do not serve a mission-critical role is not in the public interest.
“Common sense would tell us where we should start, right – we start with poor performers amongst our probationary employees,” he was quoted as saying in an AFP report.
The decision is in line with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to downsize the federal workforce, with thousands of government employees already dismissed under similar measures. – TVS
