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The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is preparing for layoffs by the end of this month as part of a broader government initiative to reduce federal employees. According to CDLLife, referencing CBS, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed USDOT workers that reductions in force (RIF) are imminent following many employees accepting a deferred resignation program (DRP) offer.
Government Executive reports that approximately 5,100 out of 57,000 USDOT employees have signed DRP contracts, choosing to retire. These layoffs will further decrease department numbers. The DRP is available only to employees aged 40 and over, allowing them to receive pay until September 30, 2025, without needing to perform their duties.
This move is part of the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative aimed at reducing the federal workforce and improving efficiency by eliminating non-value-adding processes. While some criticize the cuts for potentially impacting safety in the aviation industry, others praise it for saving $170 billion in tax dollars according to the DOGE Tracker.
