The administration under Trump intends to reverse most of the cuts made to the National Weather Service earlier this year aimed at improving government efficiency.
According to Mike Flood of R-Neb, Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has received approval to fill 450 roles, which include meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar engineers for the National Weather Service.
This decision is part of an initiative to rehire for these crucial roles. CNN was the first to report that following a summer filled with severe and deadly weather, scrutiny arose over the NWS cuts, prompting bipartisan calls for their cancellation.
An official cited by NBC News noted that NWS staff were involved during the Texas Flood that resulted in over 130 fatalities. This has spurred agencies to rehire hundreds of essential personnel, raising concerns about the reliability of NWS forecasts. This information came from a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on discussing HR matters.
Both Sorensen and Flood expressed their satisfaction with this “postponed news” in a joint statement. They co-hosted discussions around layoffs and early retirements, focusing on safeguarding National Weather Service employees while reclassifying their roles as vital to public safety. Although the bill was presented in the House of Representatives, it has yet to be voted on.
“For months, Congressman and I have been advocating for the necessary support for NOAA and NWS employees who are facing staff reductions,” stated Sorensen in a press release. “The lack of skilled positions has forced NWS offices nationwide to cancel weather balloon launches, abandon overnight staffing, and overburden the remaining meteorologists.
Rep. Mark Alford from R-Mo. also expressed support for the initiative.
A spokesperson for the National Weather Service declined to provide comments.
Officials from NOAA, who were not authorized to speak publicly, informed NBC News that filling the hundreds of vacant positions would take several months. Currently, USAJOBS.GOV lists only nine open roles across NOAA, the parent organization of the National Weather Service.
The NOAA and NWS were not impacted by the controversial cuts implemented during the early months of the second Trump administration, which included job terminations, rehiring, and restructuring of certain employees. The Commerce Department and NOAA dismissed over 600 probationary staff on February 27th, encompassing hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers.
Five former directors of the National Weather Service have cautioned that a shortage of staff could cause “unnecessary loss of life.”
The early season heatwaves scorched much of the West, resulting in dangerously high temperatures and prompting extreme heat warnings lasting from Friday through Saturday. Southern Nevada saw widespread triple-digit highs, with Death Valley expected to surpass 115 degrees.
Weeks ahead of the official start of summer, we intensified the union message. The organization’s signage campaign aims to address the far-reaching effects of Doge layoffs and budget cuts on the nation’s beloved national parks. In the Southwest, this translates to zero tolerance for extreme heat, according to Shaquille.
“We had to adapt our message to connect with people directly,” he stated.
Results from the National Park Service’s budget cuts are still pending, especially with the peak summer tourist season on the horizon.
Abigail Wine, deputy director of Death Valley National Park, mentioned that park staff are committed to ensuring public safety and raising awareness about the hazards of extreme heat. She urged visitors to take necessary precautions before heading to Death Valley, such as checking weather warnings, verifying closures, and packing adequate water, sunscreen, and other essentials.
“As always, the National Park Service is dedicated to providing visitors with an incredible, safe, and unforgettable experience at Death Valley National Park and throughout the country,” Wines informed NBC News in a statement.
The broader objective of achieving a more perfect union in the Billboard campaign is to spotlight Doge’s controversial actions and the significant cuts instituted by the Trump administration to federal agencies. Shaquille noted that the organization strategically leveraged the bipartisan support enjoyed by national parks to ignite discussion.
According to a 2024 Population Survey from Pew Research Center, the National Park Service ranks as the most favored federal agency, with a favorable rating of 76% among over 9,400 Americans surveyed.
“Many of the locations where we placed our signs are in areas assumed to lean Republican, where a significant number of people likely voted for Donald Trump. Even the Doge component resonates,” Shaquille explained. “But national parks serve as a perfect example of where the limits were overstepped.”
Scott Galloway, a prominent marketing professor in the US, described Elon Musk’s strategy of implementing severe work and spending reductions within the federal government on behalf of the Trump administration as “one of the greatest brand disruptions ever.”
During a recent episode of the popular Pivot Podcast, he mentioned that he argued that Trump’s billionaire business advisor alienated the customer base of Tesla, one of his key ventures, while partnering with a president uninterested in the types of vehicles his allies produce.
Galloway also pointed out a vote indicating that Tesla fell to No. 95 in 2021 from its previous position as the eighth most reputable brand.
“He alienates the wrong audience,” Galloway commented. “Three-quarters of Republicans will never consider purchasing an EV. He seems comfortable associating with people who aren’t interested in electric vehicles.”
He also cited statistics showing that Tesla’s sales reached 59% in France, 81% in Sweden, 74% in the Netherlands, 66% in Denmark, 50% in Switzerland, and 33% in Portugal.
Over the past few months, Musk has attempted to intervene in various political matters across Europe, including the German federal elections and the UK’s discussions regarding grooming gangs.
A report from Jato Dynamics, a provider of automotive industry insights, noted that Tesla’s Chinese rival, which is based in Austin, gained traction in the lucrative European EV market after previous competitors faced challenges.
“This was certainly one of the largest brand disruptions,” Galloway told his co-host, veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher. “Tesla was an outstanding brand.”
“He alienates his key demographics.”
The reductions in federal government operations and budget linked to Musk stemmed from his role in leading the Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Trump’s second term, which commenced in January. Musk secured this position after his Super Political Action Committee contributed $200 million to Trump’s successful bid to reclaim the White House following his 2020 election loss.
Since then, opinion surveys have indicated significant disapproval of Musk’s efforts for Trump, revealing that many voters were dissatisfied with the approach taken by the businessman and DOGE towards federal employees.
By late April, Tesla had reported a 71% drop in profits. In a revenue call with Tesla investors, Musk announced he would step back from his role in DOGE in May.
Musk described his responsibilities as “primarily managing the financial aspects of order” in the government, predicting “a considerable decrease in time dedicated to DOGE.”
A nonpartisan research organization, Public Service Partnership, estimated that the $160 billion cuts credited to DOGE would ultimately amount to around $135 billion.
Following Elon Musk’s exit from his role in overseeing the “Government Efficiency” initiative (DOGE), numerous governance analysts express concerns that Doge failed to enhance the quality of services provided by the government to American citizens.
“Across various efforts, we’ve observed significant attempts to influence public policy at the University of Michigan,” noted Donald Moynihan, public policy professor at the university. “Indeed, we have seen a decline in the quality of several government services.”
The world’s richest individual, Musk, was appointed by Donald Trump in January to lead the efficiency initiative but was restricted from serving as a “special government employee” for over 180 days due to his own business challenges.
While Musk claims that Doge has saved $150 billion during his tenure, many budget analysts have raised doubts about the validity of these figures. Musk has repeatedly been accused of exaggerations and false claims regarding savings, which represent just a fraction of the intended $1 trillion cuts.
Moynihan and other experts lament that Musk and Doge predominantly focus on the interests of business leaders aiming to maximize profits, rather than adopting a holistic strategy to enhance service efficiency.
Martha Guin Bell, executive director of Yale Budget Lab, emphasized Musk’s apparent disinterest in service improvement: “They referred to it as the ‘Governmental Slavery Ministry,’” said Gimbel. “There doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive plan to identify areas where government services can genuinely improve. Enhancing these services requires time, investment, and a commitment to building effective solutions.”
When inquired about whether Musk and Doge had improved government services, Zimbel burst into laughter. “Absolutely not,” she remarked. “There’s undeniably a decline in government services.”
Public policy analysts and citizens highlight numerous ways in which the Doge reductions have worsened government services, including longer appointment waits at veterans’ hospitals, extended holding times when calling the IRS, and increased wait times at Social Security offices. The departure of numerous experienced Social Security staff has resulted in much less assistance for welfare inquiries.
During a White House press conference on May 1, Musk defended Doge’s contributions: “I believe we have been effective overall. It may not be as effective as I had hoped, and we could achieve more,” Musk stated. “However, we’ve made advancements.”
Musk conceded that his $1 trillion goal proved to be more challenging than anticipated. “It’s truly about the discomfort the Cabinet and Congress are experiencing,” he remarked. “We can accomplish this, but we must address numerous complaints.”
The White House has not responded to inquiries regarding the decline in certain government services or how Doge has improved them.
Gimbel cautioned that many Americans may not realize the impending decline in government services as tens of thousands of ordered job eliminations unfold. “It’s certainly going to worsen,” she noted. For instance, the government is set to reduce 80,000 positions within the Veterans Affairs Department.
Numerous public policy experts believe Trump and Musk are greatly exaggerating claims of rampant waste, fraud, and abuse within the government, although Zimbel acknowledged that inefficiencies do exist. “There’s definitely room for improvement, and we can pursue it,” she stated. “Government officials are aware of where these inefficiencies lie. Much modernization of technology is needed. Yet, Doge seems uninterested in pursuing these concerns, as well as issues with Medicare and Medicaid over-expenditures.”
Max Stier, president of the Public Services Partnership, a nonprofit research organization, criticized the approach taken by Musk and Doge, likening it to actions of business executives like Jack Welch known for prioritizing cost-cutting over understanding organizational intricacies. Stier lamented that Musk and his team made abrupt cuts without adequate comprehension of the roles and responsibilities of those affected.
“Jack Welch would disapprove of the approach Doge has taken,” Stier remarked. “It’s not solely about saving costs; it disrupts organizational capabilities. Welch never let go of staff without understanding how the organization functions and the competencies of those laid off.”
Stier highlighted Musk’s assertion that Doge was meant to cut costs and enhance organization, stating, “It’s difficult to find a rational basis for the decisions being implemented. Americans certainly witness no improvements.”
“We are compromising the government’s capabilities,” he continued. “It’s evident that people are being let go aggressively, disrupting government services without any comprehension of the outcomes and results. It’s broken. It’s broken. This mindset is not prevalent in Silicon Valley.”
The claim of $150 billion in savings attributed to Musk appears to be a substantial overestimation, as it disregards significant costs associated with the Doge initiative, Stier argued. His group has indicated that due to layoffs, reemployment, retirement benefits, paid leave, and decreased productivity linked to over 100,000 workers, taxpayers are likely to incur $135 billion this year. Several public policy experts believe increased wait times and frustration should also count against the purported $150 billion in savings from Doge reductions.
Moynihan stated that Musk’s vision fundamentally misunderstands the role of government efficiency. “His perspective suggests that government officials are incapable of delivering value,” Moynihan commented. “Consequently, the notion of tools to enhance government services is completely foreign to Musk.”
“It appears he thinks civil servants lack competence, so there’s no harm in cutting their positions,” Moynihan added. “This perspective fails to recognize the importance of public services, their existence, and the benefits they provide to society.”
Liz Scheller, president of the AFL-CIO, the leading U.S. labor federation, remarked that Doge’s cuts adversely affect workers. She referenced the rapid reductions at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, indicating that the agency plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of personal protective equipment for firefighters.
“Doge essentially cuts line items from a spreadsheet, which has real-life implications for real people,” Shuler said. “Federal workers have been treated with blatant indifference, exhibiting nothing but dehumanization and humiliation.”
Gimbel of Yale Budget Lab cautioned about another significant flaw in Doge’s cuts. “One of the government’s responsibilities is to mitigate risks,” she stated. “Ensuring food safety is one such example. Government inspectors help prevent threats like Listeria or Salmonella. Reducing the number of food inspectors won’t lead to immediate increases in illnesses, but it may enhance the chances of outbreaks like Listeria and Salmonella in the ensuing years.”
The office situated on the ambiguous corner of the federal government, where NASA relies on to safely land astronauts on the moon, is facing pressure to cut at least 20% of the close team of experts for Mars’ robotic probes, according to two individuals familiar with the directive.
Staff reductions have reportedly already commenced at the Astro Geography Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, with more employees expected to be terminated following a recent call for early retirement and resignations on April 4th. The office, which is part of the US Geological Survey under the Department of the Home Office, is the target of cost-cutting efforts initiated in January with a substantial email sent to the federal government by Musk’s team.
Representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, USGS, and the Astro Geography Center did not respond to requests for comment regarding the staff reductions or potential impacts.
The cuts could potentially impact the mission of sending a crew to Mars in the future, a significant objective for Musk, who is the founder of SpaceX. He envisions a company that can make human life multiplanetary.
Matthew Golombek, a geophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been involved in selecting multiple probe landing sites on Mars and described the precise mapping at the Astro Geographic Science Center as the “gold standard used by essentially everyone in the community.”
At the beginning of this year, the office had 53 employees, with eight already set to depart and more encouraged to consider the latest offers.
Dr. Golombek emphasized the importance of the center’s experts for mapping excellence and site selection for almost every landing. He expressed concern about losing the highly experienced and knowledgeable executives from the center.
The repercussions of reducing the team of interplanetary mapmakers in the office are significant, as Jared Isaacman, the NASA-backed presidential candidate under President Trump, proposed a “parallel” effort to send astronauts to Mars during a Senate committee meeting.
One researcher at the Flagstaff Office voiced concerns that amid shifting budget priorities, personnel cuts could be detrimental to mapping and critical projects in planetary science, crucial for human exploration.
“I can’t fathom randomly cutting 40% of the remaining staff without canceling the entire project,” the researcher stated.
The researchers added that even the departure of just five workers could significantly impact the office, depending on seniority and field of expertise.
Two employees, who requested anonymity to protect their government careers, were aware of the recent call for volunteers for the “deferred resignation/retirement program” at a recent staff meeting. Essential layoffs known in the federal government if insufficient employees volunteer.
The field of astronomy is interdisciplinary, with experts in terrestrial fields like mineralogy, volcanology, and geography that are valuable for space exploration. The USGS Astrogeology Center, though part of an internal division, closely collaborates with NASA and is largely funded by the agency.
For decades, the Center’s experts have been pivotal in creating detailed topographic maps of various celestial bodies, strategic planning, and scientific goals for NASA missions.
The scientist also provided lunar geology crash courses to Apollo astronauts like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, which enhanced their knowledge of rock sample collection. This training has been revived for NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return astronauts to the moon’s surface in 2027.
Office geology experts played a crucial role in finding new landing sites for historic Viking Mars landers after the original site was deemed unsafe in 1976. In 2021, a rover safely landed on Mars and was guided autonomously using maps and software from the Center.
Companies in the commercial space sector also rely on the expertise of the Astro Geographic Science Center.
“SpaceX has consulted the USGS in the past, and the USGS team was enthusiastic,” said David SF Portree, a former archivist and public relations manager at the Astrology Science Center, a semi-self-historist and science writer in Arizona.
SpaceX did not respond to requests for comments regarding their work at the Astrogeology Center or the impact on their Mars program.
Mr. Porterie expressed concerns about the long-term effects of NASA’s 50-year plan for the crew’s mission to Mars and the executive order for a government-wide employment freeze, which affected student contractors at the office.
Dr. Edwards from Northern Arizona raised concerns about the mass recruitment of probationary workers, stating that it could lead to the dismissal of subject experts.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining experienced staff to ensure the continuity of specialized expertise in the field.
In late February, as the Trump administration stepped up its quest to transform the federal government, the psychiatrist treating veterans was turned to her new workstation, which was incredible.
She had to perform virtual psychotherapy with patients from any of the 13 cubicles of large open office spaces used for call centres under the Return Office Policy from the New Office. Other staff could overhear the session, appear on patient screens, or be handed over to the toilet or break room.
The psychiatrist was unsure. Her patient suffered from disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It took months to get their trust by dealing with them from her home office. She said the new arrangement violated a central ethical doctrine of mental health care: guarantees of privacy.
When doctors asked how they would expect to protect the privacy of their patients, the supervisor suggested buying a privacy screen and a white noise machine. “I’m ready to leave once it comes,” she wrote to her manager in a text message shared with the New York Times. “I got it,” replied the manager. “Many of us are ready to leave.”
These scenes have been unfolding at veteran affairs facilities nationwide in recent weeks as treatment and other mental health services have been disrupted amid the dramatic changes ordered by President Trump and driven by Elon Musk’s government efficiency.
Among the most consequential orders is the requirement that thousands of mental health providers, including many who have been hired for completely remote positions, currently work full-time from the federal government.space. This is the reversal of the VA’s harsh policy that pioneered virtual medicine practices as a way to reach isolated veterans 20 years ago, long before the pandemic made telehealth a favorable treatment for many Americans.
As the first wave of providers report to offices simply lacking room for them, many have found no way to ensure patient privacy, healthcare workers said. Some have filed complaints and warn that the arrangement violates ethical regulations and the Health Privacy Act. At the same time, layoffs of at least 1,900 probation employees are diluting the already stressful services that support homeless or suicides.
…
said Matthew Hunnikat, 62, a social worker who retired in late February nearly 15 years later at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.
When staff were ordered to close the diversity initiative, Honeycutt decided to speed up his retirement. He said care at the VA was improved during that time with community outreach, shorter waiting times and same-day mental health appointments.
“It’s extreme to just destroy this kind of thing,” he said.
Alain Delacheriere and Kirsten Neus Contributed research.
Under tech billionaire Elon Musk, the Doge Task Force cuts jobs across the US government
AFP via Getty Images
The independent task force, US Government Efficiency (DOGE), has closed 18F, a group of in-house technical experts focused on improving the efficiency of the US government. The 18th floor consulted with other government agencies about adopting cost-effective technology and built digital services for tasks such as applying for a passport or submitting online taxes.
Initiatives such as the 18F, another government unit of high-tech consultants, and the US Digital Services (USDS), are “a wealth of professional networks, fixers and dreamers who can modernize government services.” Daniel Castro at Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington, DC-based think tank.
He says the recent rapid elimination of the 18th floor could halt US government projects. He then expressed his skepticism that Doge is the right organisation to replace USDS or 18F to help the US government use the technology efficiently. “I didn't hire a demolition crew to build a skyscraper,” says Castro.
The US government typically spends over $100 billion on IT services each year, but these expensive technology investments don't often work as they are actually promised. According to to the US Government Accountability Office. 18F said it helped to avoid such waste by consulting with federal and state agencies adopting high-tech solutions and determining which companies could deliver on time and on budget Danhongovernment digital services and technology experts.
Three former 18th floor employees who requested anonymity had recently cut jobs New Scientist. It helped digitize the healthcare application system to make states easy access to federal Medicaid funds. These provide health insurance to 70 million Americans, including 40% of all children and 60% of all nurse residents.
Another former employee interactively collaborated with the US Department of the Interior Website This tracks environmental damage caused by the release of petroleum or other harmful substances. Such data helped ensure that the person responsible for the damages, not the taxpayer, would pay to clean it, they said.
Members of the 18th floor also had the National Weather Service updated. Prediction website To make it more user-friendly. The 18F team worked with USDS to develop a free direct file program. This allows participating states to submit their taxes directly to the Internal Revenue Service, instead of purchasing tax preparation software or hiring an accountant. The government estimates that more than 30 million taxpayers from 25 states will be eligible for services in 2025.
The future of these projects is currently uncertain. Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, he has changed his name, I'll remake it The USDS is a clumsy USDS, led by government civil servant Amy Gleason, but is actually led by high-tech billionaire Elon Musk. Many previous US digital services members have since been fired or resigned.
Musk I was aiming It was on the 18th floor early in Trump's second administration, but former 18th floor employees had not received official “forced” notifications to close the organization until February 28th. Approximately 85 members on the 18th floor were directly affected by the layoffs, and three more received previous acquisition offers.
The combination of 18F exclusion and layoffs and resignation from the previous USDS team means there is no government-wide mission left to develop and build technology. say Former 18th floor employee. A spokesman for the General Services Agency (GSA), a US government organization that provides operational support to all federal agencies, said: “GSA will continue to support the administration's willingness to adopt best-in-class technologies to accelerate digital transformation and modernize IT infrastructure.”
aA post from Elon Musk on Saturday afternoon requested that federal employees list five things from the previous week related to emails. This request was expected to reach the inboxes of 2.3 million federal employees, sparking discussions among a secret network of government workers and contractors. These individuals began communicating through an encrypted app to coordinate their responses.
Employees on a 10-hour, four-day schedule did not see the email until Tuesday, missing the deadline for responses. Some employees even added a humorous touch, with one worker joking, “Bonus points to those who say they spent government subsidies on hookers and blows.”
After quickly deliberating, the network agreed on a response strategy. They decided to split the oaths sworn by federal employees into five bullet points, which would be sent back via email. The first point was: “I supported and defended the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Another oath included: “I’ve pledged true faith and loyalty to the same thing.” According to veteran contractor Lynn Stahl, these efforts aimed to expose harmful policies, defend public institutions, and provide citizens with necessary information and support.
Identifying themselves as #Altgov, the network gained visibility with multiple social media accounts, most adopting names or initials of federal agencies. Their goal was to shed light on the chaos caused by the previous administration and combat misinformation.
With around 40 accounts and growing followership, #Altgov engaged in subgroups for information sharing and strategy development using the encrypted messaging app, Wire.
A post from #ALTGOV explaining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo: alt cdc (they/them)/bluesky
The origin of #Altgov dates back to the first Trump administration, with notable accounts like “Alt National Park Service” gaining traction on Twitter. The network evolved to serve the public by coordinating relief efforts and distributing resources during crises.
Transitioning their presence to Bluesky, #Altgov continued their mission to provide value where the government fell short. They expanded their reach by forming new accounts dedicated to specific agencies, like #Altgov FEMA, which focused on disaster response.
Federal employees who joined #Altgov expressed a sense of duty and a desire for transparency in government actions. By uncovering misinformation and providing accurate information, they aimed to empower citizens and hold institutions accountable.
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