Planned job cuts announced by U.S. employers surged by 245% in February to 172,017, the highest level seen since the COVID-19 downturn in July 2020 and the steepest February total in 16 years, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Government layoffs accounted for a significant portion of the job cuts, with 62,242 positions announced across 17 federal agencies. In total, about 62,530 federal employees were laid off during the first two months of the year—a dramatic increase compared to the same period in 2024. Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, warned that mass layoffs often leave remaining staff feeling uneasy and could lead to additional voluntary departures.
A key factor behind the surge in layoffs has been the aggressive cost-cutting drive led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative reportedly championed by tech billionaire Elon Musk and supported by the Trump administration. The DOGE effort has resulted in deep spending cuts, funding freezes, and the dismissal of thousands of federal workers, including specialists such as scientists and game rangers. The initiative has also affected federal contractors, as companies facing tariffs and other trade disruptions have extended their workforce reductions.
Challenger attributed 63,583 of the layoffs directly to the "DOGE impact," with an additional 894 job cuts linked to downstream effects such as reduced funding for private non-profits. The majority of the federal layoffs have been concentrated in Washington, D.C.—a region that has lost 61,795 jobs so far this year, compared with only 60 in 2024.
Outside of the public sector, job cuts were also reported in retail, technology, services, and consumer products industries. Although these federal workforce reductions will not immediately be reflected in February's employment report, scheduled for release on Friday, the ongoing hiring and funding freezes could influence government and contractor employment in the coming months. A Reuters survey of economists estimated that nonfarm payrolls increased by 160,000 jobs after a January rise of 143,000, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 4.0%.
President Donald Trump has delayed the implementation of 25% tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico for one month, following requests from executives at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
Planned job cuts announced by U.S. employers surged by 245% in February to 172,017, the highest level seen since the COVID-19 downturn in July 2020 and the steepest February total in 16 years, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order as early as Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to close the U.S. Department of Education, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza after direct negotiations with the group.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
The Five Eyes alliance—comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—is the world’s oldest and most significant intelligence-sharing partnership.
Romanian authorities have arrested six individuals, including a former army general, over allegations of attempting to destabilise the state with foreign involvement. The move follows the expulsion of two Russian diplomats.
President Donald Trump has delayed the implementation of 25% tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico for one month, following requests from executives at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
In a significant escalation of its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again promised to cancel the province’s $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, citing the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as the primary driver behind the decision.
A centuries old tradition of cheese-throwing has brought excitement to the town of Novara di Sicilia as its residents both young and old trooped out en masse to participate in the game.
Norway’s government has affirmed that it will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy vessels, dismissing recent calls from a private marine fuel supplier to halt deliveries amid tensions linked to U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
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Watch AnewZ Live Coverage of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the Oval Office at https://anewz.tv/tv-live
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will tighten its policies on content that promotes illegal gambling, with changes set to take effect on March 19.
The Five Eyes alliance—comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—is the world’s oldest and most significant intelligence-sharing partnership.
Romanian authorities have arrested six individuals, including a former army general, over allegations of attempting to destabilise the state with foreign involvement. The move follows the expulsion of two Russian diplomats.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again promised to cancel the province’s $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, citing the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as the primary driver behind the decision.
European leaders vow to boost defense and stand by Ukraine amid U.S. policy shifts. With fears of a growing Russian threat, the EU explores joint military funding and nuclear deterrence options.
The Five Eyes alliance—comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—is the world’s oldest and most significant intelligence-sharing partnership.
Romanian authorities have arrested six individuals, including a former army general, over allegations of attempting to destabilise the state with foreign involvement. The move follows the expulsion of two Russian diplomats.
President Donald Trump has delayed the implementation of 25% tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico for one month, following requests from executives at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
In a significant escalation of its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again promised to cancel the province’s $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, citing the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as the primary driver behind the decision.
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