Pentagon halts plan for mass civilian firings as DOGE layoffs target probationary hires
The Pentagon has paused its plan for mass civilian firings while focusing on DOGE layoffs targeting probationary hires. Officials say the decision comes amid internal reviews of workforce reductions
The Pentagon has hit pause on a sweeping plan to lay off thousands of civilian probationary employees, following concerns about its potential impact on U.S. military readiness. The decision comes amid growing legal and strategic scrutiny, with top defense officials acknowledging that a more thorough review is necessary before proceeding with mass terminations.
The move follows a report by CNN highlighting that the planned layoffs—affecting over 50,000 civilian employees—could potentially violate federal law. With mounting pressure, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel are now reassessing the decision, ensuring it complies with Title 10, Section 129a of the U.S. Code, which mandates a detailed impact analysis before any workforce reductions occur.
Legal concerns delay layoffs
The decision to halt the layoffs follows concerns over Title 10, Section 129a of the U.S. Code, which mandates that the Secretary of Defense cannot reduce the civilian workforce without first conducting an in-depth analysis of how such cuts would affect military lethality and readiness. According to officials, this legal requirement was overlooked before military leaders were instructed to compile lists of employees for termination.
The layoffs—potentially impacting over 50,000 civilian employees across the Pentagon—could violate federal law. Following that revelation, Pentagon lawyers launched a legal review to examine the legitimacy of the planned workforce reductions.
Defense officials scramble to identify exempt employees
As news of the planned layoffs spread, defense officials rushed to compile exemption lists for employees deemed critical to national security operations. Among those being considered for exemption are personnel working in cybersecurity, intelligence, military operations, and foreign military sales—sectors essential to ongoing defense missions.
Throughout the week, Pentagon officials have been working late into the night to identify which roles should be safeguarded from the cuts, multiple sources confirmed.
Pentagon’s justification for terminations
Despite the pause, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the situation in a video posted to X on Thursday, stating that the layoffs would prioritize lower-performing employees. However, some defense officials argue that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is using broad justifications to proceed with terminations, claiming that probationary employees are no longer essential to the Pentagon’s overall performance.
Pete Hegseth stated that the layoffs would prioritize lower-performing employees. Photo: USA Today
Further reinforcing the Pentagon’s cost-cutting stance, Hegseth welcomed last week the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the Defense Department, a task force led by Elon Musk aimed at streamlining government operations. "There is waste, redundancies, and headcounts at headquarters that need to be addressed," Hegseth stated last week.
On Friday, DOGE shared on X that it had a 'great kickoff' at the Defense Department, signaling that efforts to restructure the civilian workforce are still moving forward despite the current pause on mass layoffs.