Washington: The Pentagon is preparing to dismiss 5,400 civilian employees next week as part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce. This development marks a significant step in implementing a promise made by former US President Donald Trump to downsize federal employment.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Darren Selnick, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, stated that the dismissals would commence with employees on probation. Selnick mentioned, “We expect to dismiss approximately 5,400 employees on probation, starting next week, as part of these initial efforts.” He further added that the department would impose a hiring freeze while conducting a detailed analysis of workforce needs, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.

The decision reflects ongoing discussions within the Department of Defense about optimizing personnel resources and aligning with strategic workforce objectives. This move is expected to have significant implications for civilian employees within the department, as well as for the operational dynamics of the Pentagon.