The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly bracing for massive workforce reductions, with potential cuts affecting up to half of its nearly 90,000 employees, according to a recent report.
This significant downsizing effort aligns with the Trump administration’s broader government efficiency initiative, aimed at streamlining federal agencies and enhancing operational effectiveness. The first wave of layoffs has already begun, with approximately 7,000 probationary IRS employees losing their positions in February.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is leading the restructuring effort, targeting staff reductions across multiple federal agencies. To ease the financial strain on affected employees, the IRS has introduced a “deferred resignation program”, which allows workers to continue receiving full pay for several months while seeking new employment opportunities, as reported by the Associated Press.
BREAKING: I.R.S. to begin laying off 6,000 employees on Thursday – NYT
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 19, 2025
Former IRS Chief Warns of Consequences
Former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen has strongly criticized the proposed layoffs, cautioning against the risks of cutting personnel at such a large scale. In an op-ed published by The New York Times, Koskinen warned:
“Aggressive reductions in the I.R.S.’s resources will only render our government less effective and less efficient in collecting the taxes Congress has imposed.”
Meanwhile, The Times has reported that the Trump administration is implementing similar “reduction in force” plans across several government entities. When asked for comment regarding the reported layoffs, the IRS declined to provide further details.
🚨 New advertisement in Washington, D.C. is appealing to federal workers fired by DOGE – aims to siphon them into New York.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 3, 2025
👀
"DOGE said your fired? We say: You're hired!"
Photo from @KevinFreyTV pic.twitter.com/tmBsxjWxhr
Reviewing IRS Operations and Potential Oversight
DOGE officials Gavin Kliner and Sam Crocos have been working closely with the Trump administration to gain access to IRS databases and evaluate the agency’s recent activities, according to The Post Millennial. Their involvement suggests a wider effort to restructure the IRS, potentially increasing oversight and reviewing agency efficiency.
New York Governor Hochul Welcomes Displaced IRS Employees
In response to the layoffs, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched a high-profile recruitment campaign aimed at attracting former federal workers to her state. The ads, displayed at Washington D.C.’s Union Station and New York City’s Moynihan Train Station, read:
“DOGE said you’re fired? We say you’re hired! New York wants you!”
Speaking directly to federal employees affected by the cuts, Hochul emphasized New York’s support for public servants, stating:
“The current regime in Washington may not recognize your talents, but I can assure you New York State does. We don’t vilify public servants. We value you. We cherish your contribution, and we do want to welcome you to the New York family.”
She further reinforced her state’s commitment to government employees, adding:
“In New York, we know it’s not the demagogues and the technocrats who make America great. It’s public servants like Luke and all the people I just met, and countless who came before them, who dedicate their lives to serving others.”
Forget what DOGE says — New York wants YOU!
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 25, 2025
From education to public safety, we are HIRING. Federal employees: check out https://t.co/1vFG1gRYT7 for opportunities in the Empire State. pic.twitter.com/lBr3kfKhDc
Federal Employees Now Required to Submit Weekly Updates
According to Resist the Mainstream, DOGE—under the guidance of Elon Musk—has implemented new accountability measures requiring all federal employees to submit weekly reports on their work progress.
A second email, sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on behalf of DOGE, now mandates that all federal workers submit detailed work updates by 11:59 p.m. every Monday, following an initial request for similar information.
