Trump Administration Admits Mistakes, Makes U-Turn After Musk-Led Layoffs
- The US General Services Administration is offering workers who had been dismissed under the Department of Government Efficiency the chance to return to their previous roles
- The massive layoffs tied to DOGE, especially under Elon Musk’s leadership, caused operational disruption, understaffing, and management failures
- Because of this, DOGE’s sweeping workforce reductions are facing backlash, and the administration is trying to mitigate damage by reintegrating some staff
Hundreds of federal employees who were laid off during cost-cutting measures led by Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are now being invited back to work.
Source: Getty Images
The downsizing was part of President Donald Trump’s push to shrink government during his second term.
According to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press, the General Services Administration (GSA) has told the affected workers they have until the end of this week to decide. Those who accept will officially return on October 6.
The employees had been responsible for managing government buildings. Since their dismissal in March, the GSA has struggled with staffing shortages and costly lease issues. In some cases, the government continued paying for empty properties it had planned to give up.
Chad Becker, a former GSA real estate official, said the agency was left “broken and understaffed” after the job cuts.
The GSA, established in the 1940s to manage federal workspaces, is crucial to the daily operations of other agencies. Thousands of its workers resigned, retired early, or were laid off under DOGE’s restructuring. Now, the reversal highlights the challenges of running government operations with reduced staff.
Other federal departments have also begun restoring positions. The IRS recently allowed some employees who had resigned to remain on the job. The Labor Department and National Park Service have also recalled workers.
Democrats question savings from Musk-led cuts
In a statement, a GSA spokesperson said leadership is “making adjustments in the best interest of customer agencies and taxpayers,” but did not comment on staffing numbers or costs.
Source: Getty Images
Democrats have criticised the Trump administration’s approach. Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona argued there is no proof the cuts saved money, saying instead they “created costly confusion while undermining services taxpayers depend on.”
At the start of Trump’s second term, GSA had about 12,000 employees. DOGE targeted the agency to slash waste and reduce spending. Musk’s team even moved to cancel thousands of leases and sell federal buildings, aiming for billions in savings.
But backlash forced a rollback. Nearly 500 leases once marked for cancellation were restored, keeping office space for agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and the FDA.
Still, the GSA was heavily downsized: headquarters staff was cut by almost 80%, portfolio managers by 65%, and facilities managers by 35%, according to one federal official. The disruption led to more than 100 leases expiring without agencies leaving the buildings, exposing the government to extra fees.
The Government Accountability Office is now reviewing GSA’s workforce changes, lease management, and building sales. A report is expected in the coming months.
US imposes $100K fee on H-1B visa applicants
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Trump has signed an executive order mandating a $100,000 annual fee for new H-1B skilled-worker visa applicants, replacing the previous $1,500 charge.
Critics warn this steep hike could cripple small firms, deter foreign talent, and damage U.S. competitiveness, while tech groups and countries like India express strong concern over the move.
Source: Legit.ng
