PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Layoffs announced by employers in the U.S. increased significantly in March—but almost half are Washington, D.C. bureaucrats, according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
👥 Who’s Involved: Federal workers and contractors, DOGE, and DOGE frontman Elon Musk.
📍 Where & When: These developments occurred in Washington D.C. during March.
💬 Key Quote: Andrew Challenger of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas noted, “Job cut announcements were dominated last month by Department of Government Efficiency plans to eliminate positions in the federal government.”
⚠️ Impact: With 497,052 layoffs in the first three months of the year, this represents the highest first-quarter total since 2009, with significant implications for federal agencies and leftist non-profits.
IN FULL:
U.S. employers announced layoffs in March at levels unprecedented since the pandemic-induced recession—but this was driven largely by sizable cuts among federal workers and contractors. Data released by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Thursday indicated a 60 percent surge in planned job reductions, amounting to 275,240 positions last month. This figure marks the highest since May 2020, positioning it as the third-largest monthly total recorded.
These reductions were significantly concentrated in Washington, D.C., attributed mainly to the federal government sector. Over the past two months, approximately 280,253 planned federal worker and contractor layoffs have impacted 27 agencies as the Trump administration seeks to eliminate waste and inefficiency and bring federal spending under control. The ripple effect of terminating federal aid or contracts further contributed to 4,429 job cuts, notably affecting non-profits—often engaged in leftist activism—and health-oriented organizations, possibly due to the administration’s efforts to defund abortions and transgenderism.
Andrew Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas commented, “Job cut announcements were dominated last month by Department of Government Efficiency plans to eliminate positions in the federal government.”
Judicial orders have facilitated the reinstatement of around 24,000 workers. Reports indicate a significant reshuffle within federal ranks is ongoing, documenting 3,972 rehired policymakers as part of March’s hiring plans.
An anticipated governmental employment report suggests an addition of 135,000 nonfarm payroll jobs for March, maintaining an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.
