More than 50,000 probationary civilian employees across the Defense Department are facing potential firings, according to a US official and a source familiar with the matter. While the exact number of impacted individuals may be lower due to exemptions being considered, the Defense Department currently employs around 55,000 probationary workers. It remains uncertain how many employees will ultimately be exempted, with defense officials reportedly seeking exemptions for personnel in critical roles such as intelligence, cybersecurity, and foreign military sales.
With over 900,000 civilians working for the Defense Department, the impending firings are expected to commence as early as Friday. In addition to the probationary civilian employees, the Pentagon is also preparing for potential dismissals of senior military leaders and the implementation of new policies regarding transgender service members.
