Washington: More than 9,500 federal employees have been laid off as part of a government job-cutting campaign by US President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk.
The departments of the Interior, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Health were affected in this layoff campaign, while thousands of jobs are also likely to be lost in the US Forest Service, National Park Service and Internal Revenue Service.
According to President Trump, the US government is bogged down in unnecessary spending and is drowning in $36 trillion in debt. Last year, there was a deficit of $1.8 trillion, which requires reforms to reduce.
Many quarters are questioning Elon Musk’s policies and influence, as his decisions are affecting government departments and public services.
According to some reports, attempts are being made to almost completely close institutions such as USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Democrats have accused Trump of interfering with Congress’s authority over federal spending, while a majority of Republicans have supported the decision.
Critics say the job cuts will hurt critical government services, particularly tax collection, wildfire control and public health programs.
The economic reforms have already shaken up the US federal bureaucracy, and more drastic measures could be taken in the future.
