WEEK IN REVIEW: MASS LAYOFFS, BUYOUTS, AND PRIVATIZATION UNDER ELON MUSK’S DOGE (FEBRUARY 10-16, 2025)

The past week has been one of the most chaotic in modern U.S. government history. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has aggressively slashed the federal workforce, gutting 85,000 jobs, pushing 75,000 into buyouts, and disrupting essential public services. The impact of these cuts is being felt nationwide, with ripple effects in tax processing, veterans’ healthcare, environmental protections, and education funding.

While the Trump administration claims these moves are about “efficiency,” critics warn it’s a massive corporate takeover of government services, opening the door for Musk’s companies to fill the gaps. Here’s everything that happened last week:

MASSIVE FEDERAL LAYOFFS – 85,000 WORKERS FIRED

DOGE terminated 85,000 federal workers as part of a sweeping effort to shrink the size of the government.

🛑 Most of the fired employees were probationary workers—meaning they had less than a year of service and lacked full civil service protections.

⚠️ By firing probationary employees, the administration avoided the appeals process & union protections.

💼 WHO’S AFFECTED?

📊 IRS – 15,000 workers laid off MID-TAX SEASON

🚨 Tax refund delays expected for millions as 140 million returns pile up with fewer staff.

💰 DOGE proposes AI-driven tax processing to replace human workers, possibly opening contracts to Musk-owned tech firms.

🏥 Veterans Affairs – Medical & Claims Staff Cut

🔥 Veterans face longer wait times for healthcare & benefits.

⚖️ Veteran advocacy groups have filed lawsuits, arguing the cuts violate federal obligations.

🌱 Energy & Forest Service – 5,000+ Jobs Cut

🔥 Wildfire prevention programs hit hard ahead of fire season.

⚠️ Clean energy programs gutted—Musk’s private companies stand to benefit.

📚 Education – Student Loan Processing Teams Reduced

💳 FAFSA & student loan processing delays expected.

📢 DOGE pushing for full privatization of student loan management.

FEDERAL BUYOUTS – 75,000 MORE WORKERS GONE

💰 Trump’s buyout program allowed employees to resign with pay & benefits until September 2025.

🔹 3% of all federal workers (75,000) accepted the offer.

🔹 Many left due to forced return-to-office mandates or fear of layoffs.

🔹 Legal challenges failed—courts ruled in favor of the administration.

🚨 Even after 75,000 left voluntarily, DOGE is still cutting aggressively to meet its goal of reducing the federal workforce by 10%.

PRIVATIZATION & CORPORATE TAKEOVER CONCERNS

⚠️ Musk’s companies (Tesla, SpaceX) have secured $22 BILLION in government contracts while his DOGE team is dismantling government agencies.

📊 Critics warn these mass firings & buyouts are paving the way for private companies to take over federal responsibilities.

💰 Musk’s tech firms stand to profit as AI & automation replace human workers in tax processing, energy, and transportation sectors.

BACKLASH & POLITICAL FALLOUT

🔥 Public Protests & Worker Strikes

📢 Tesla showrooms and government buildings have been targeted by demonstrators calling for an end to corporate control over public services.

🏛️ House Democrats Demand Investigations

🚨 Congressional Democrats are pushing for an investigation into DOGE’s activities, Musk’s influence over government decision-making, and potential conflicts of interest.

⚖️ Legal Battles Begin

📢 Unions and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing the firings violate federal labor protections & veterans’ healthcare laws.

WHY THIS MATTERS

⚠️ 160,000+ jobs lost weakens the government & opens doors for corporate control.

⚠️ Public services—from tax refunds to veteran care—are at risk of collapse.

⚠️ Musk’s companies are profiting while federal workers lose everything.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The administration isn’t done yet.

🔹 DOGE has a goal of cutting 10% of the federal workforce, meaning more layoffs are likely in the coming weeks.

🔹 If lawsuits fail, Musk’s team will continue downsizing agencies & shifting responsibilities to private contractors.

🔹 Congressional hearings may be the only check on Musk’s growing power over government functions.

🔥 WHAT DO YOU THINK?

📢 Should Musk’s team have this much control over government jobs?

📢 Are these cuts about “efficiency”—or corporate greed?

📢 Is your community affected?

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️🔥 #DOGE #ElonMusk #GovernmentLayoffs #IRS #VeteransAffairs #SavePublicServices

🔗 READ MORE: Who’s Behind DOGE?