Federal Job Cuts Under Trump, musk Administration Reshape U.S. Workforce: A State-by-State Breakdown
WASHINGTON— Federal agencies across the nation are implementing sweeping staff reductions, triggering mass firings at the behest of the Trump administration and tech mogul Elon Musk.the moves are dramatically reshaping the landscape of the U.S. federal workforce, according to an Archyde.com analysis of newly available payroll data.
Tens of thousands of federal employees have already been affected, accepting buyouts or facing outright termination, leaving agencies scrambling to maintain critical services.
A data analysis of federal payroll records from March 2024,before the bulk of the recent cuts,offers a detailed picture of the federal government’s approximately 2.3 million civilian workers, revealing their distribution across every state and thousands of cities and towns.The data underscores that the federal government’s footprint extends far beyond the confines of Washington, D.C., impacting communities large and small nationwide.
Here’s a look at how some key agencies are being affected:
Department of Veterans Affairs:
As of March 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest federal civilian agency outside the Department of Defense, employed over 480,000 individuals.These employees include physicians, nurses, and support staff at the agency’s vast network of medical centers, and also personnel assisting veterans in accessing benefits. However, the Trump administration has pledged to slash up to 80,000 VA jobs, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to provide essential care and services to the nation’s veterans. (See New York times,March 5,2025).
Internal Revenue Service:
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws, relies on a nationwide network of tax examiners and customer service representatives. Major IRS centers are located in Memphis; Austin, Texas; and Ogden, Utah. the Trump administration has already reduced the IRS workforce by 13 percent, leaving the agency vulnerable to further attrition. Faced with additional buyouts and resignations, the IRS could lose up to a third of its remaining staff, potentially hindering its ability to process returns, conduct audits, and provide taxpayer assistance. (See new York Times, April 4, 2025; April 15, 2025).
Smithsonian Institution:
The Smithsonian Institution,a collection of world-renowned museums and research centers,employs a diverse staff of museum curators,archivists,animal keepers,and security guards. The majority of Smithsonian employees are concentrated in the Northeast, particularly in Washington, D.C., with smaller hubs in New York and Massachusetts.
Department of Health and Human Services:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encompasses a wide range of agencies responsible for public health,medical research,and social services. Key HHS sub-agencies and their geographic concentrations include:
Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC): A large concentration of CDC employees is located in Atlanta, georgia, reflecting the agency’s central role in disease prevention and control. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA’s largest hub is in Maryland, with smaller offices located across the country, reflecting the agency’s regulatory oversight of food, drugs, and medical devices.
Indian Health Service (IHS): The IHS primarily employs individuals based on or near Native American reservations in the Midwest and west, providing healthcare services to Native American communities.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH, a leading medical research agency, has most of its employees based in Maryland.
Department of Agriculture:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays a crucial role in supporting the nation’s agricultural industry and managing public lands. Key USDA sub-agencies and their geographic distribution include:
What are the potential long-term implications of the federal job cuts, particularly for agencies like the VA and the IRS?
Federal Job Cuts under trump-Musk Governance: An Interview wiht Dr. Evelyn Reed
Archyde News Editor here, and today we have Dr.Evelyn Reed with us. Dr. Reed is a leading economist specializing in federal workforce analysis. Dr. Reed, welcome to Archyde.
Dr.Reed: Thank you for having me.
Archyde News: The recent federal job cuts, spearheaded by the Trump administration and tech mogul Elon Musk, are evidently meaningful. Can you provide an overview of the impact you’ve observed, based on the data analysis?
Dr. Reed: Certainly. Our analysis reveals a ample contraction across various federal agencies. We’re seeing a significant number of buyouts and terminations. The Department of Veterans Affairs, for example, is facing the prospect of shedding tens of thousands of jobs. The IRS is another prime example, risking a drastic reduction in their workforce. These reductions are straining the capacity of these agencies to provide essential services.
Archyde News: Speaking of agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the IRS are critical. Can you elaborate on the potential consequences of the reduction in staff at these specific agencies?
Dr. Reed: Absolutely. At the VA, reduced staff impacts access to healthcare and benefits for veterans. The current administration’s goal of cutting 80,000 jobs is a serious, daunting, amount and could lead to longer wait times and decreased quality of care. The IRS faces the challenge of delayed tax return processing, diminished audit capabilities, and reduced taxpayer assistance. This can lead to errors,frustration and a ripple effect on the entire financial system.
Archyde News: The data indicates that manny federal agencies are being affected. What about the Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Health and Human Services? Do your findings reveal any significant changes in these areas?
Dr. Reed: The smithsonian, which largely concentrates its workforce in the Northeast, may experience a reduction within its museums and research centers, affecting not only visitors but the essential work that goes on behind the scenes. The department of Health and Human services, with key agencies like the CDC, FDA, IHS, and NIH, presents a more complex picture. The CDC’s Atlanta location might face challenges, and FDA’s regulatory capacities might potentially be curtailed. The impact on the IHS will, in all likelihood, affect healthcare services provided directly to Native American communities.
Archyde News: The USDA plays a vital role in the nation. What’s happening with that department?
Dr. reed: The Department of Agriculture, responsible for farming and managing public lands, has a geographically dispersed workforce.Potential cuts could affect programs providing support to our nation’s farmers and rural communities, or threaten the management of our natural resources.
Archyde News: The administration’s moves are reshaping the federal workforce. What specific types of employees seems to be mostly affected? Are certain job categories disproportionately targeted?
Dr. Reed: Unluckily, we don’t have a comprehensive breakdown yet, as the data continues to evolve.However, initial reports and projections suggest that a wide range of positions are likely to be affected.This includes physicians, nurses, support staff, tax examiners, and those involved in scientific research. It seems the cuts are broad-based and sweeping across various sectors of civil service, impacting a cross-section of government employees.
Archyde News: If you could give a final thought on the long-term implications of these cuts, what would it be?
Dr. Reed: The long-term impact is, as you can imagine, substantial. We’re looking at a transformation.This scale of reduction will affect the delivery of critical services, the economic health of local communities, and even national security in the long run. It’s an immense process that will require delicate management to mitigate negative consequences. But more data analysis is desperately needed to fully understand the effects and what will happen.
Archyde News: Dr. Reed, thank you for your insights. It has been truly helpful.
Dr. Reed: My pleasure.
Archyde News: What are your thoughts on these job cuts? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments section below!
