In a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. federal government, Elon Musk—leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump—oversaw mass layoffs targeting thousands of civil servants. Among them were frontline workers protecting the health of coal miners, wildlife experts, and seasoned scientists. Despite excellent performance records, they were let go under a campaign Musk claimed would “streamline government and eliminate inefficiency.”

The Faces Behind the Cuts

 Jessica Perkins – CDC Mining Safety Program, Spokane

Jessica Perkins was a program specialist at the CDC’s Spokane Mining Lab, which focuses on mining-related health hazards like black lung disease. She was abruptly fired on Valentine’s Day, despite glowing performance reviews and a pending promotion.

“They didn’t evaluate individuals. They just got rid of people,” she said.

 Andria Townsend – Yosemite National Park

Andria Townsend, a wildlife biologist specializing in carnivores, was dismissed late on a Friday evening—receiving the email just before 10 PM.

“I have two degrees, a strong track record—and they told me I didn’t meet performance standards. It’s a complete lie,” she told CNN.

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employee

A long-serving employee at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was fired without specific cause, despite meeting all benchmarks to secure a permanent position.

The letter stated only that their “skills and abilities did not align with agency needs.”

Consequences for Coal Miners’ Health

One of the hardest-hit programs was the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP), which offers free X-rays to detect black lung disease early. After hundreds of NIOSH employees were fired, mobile health screenings across Appalachia were suspended.

Meanwhile, DOGE is shutting down 34 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) offices across 19 states, weakening oversight in already dangerous conditions.

“We’re losing the very people who know how to keep miners alive,” said a former MSHA inspector.

Efficiency or Ideological Purge?

DOGE justified the terminations as a way to eliminate “low-performing and redundant staff.” But in reality, many workers fired were high performers or had just been promoted—placing them on “probationary” status, making them easier to fire.

Civil service advocates call the layoffs illegal and politically motivated.

“This isn’t about efficiency. It’s about dismantling programs they ideologically oppose,” said a union attorney.

 

A Costly Experiment

While Musk and DOGE boast that they’ve saved $150 billion, critics argue that disruptions, legal fees, and rehiring costs may outweigh the savings.