Last day for buyout workers follows NOAA firings

Today could mark the last workday for many federal employees, as NOAA is expected to continue layoffs.

CNN- Today could mark the last workday for many federal employees, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is expected to continue layoffs. A source close to the agency reports that additional firings may take place, following the dismissal of hundreds of workers yesterday.

Meteorologists and engineers appear to be among those affected, though some critical positions may have received exemptions.

“We’re coming into hurricane season. These are the scientists who help figure out where the hurricanes are coming, how severe they’re going to be, whether we’re going to have an earthquake, whether we’re going to have a wildfire,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), emphasizing the importance of these roles.

In addition to the firings, today could also be the last day for some federal employees who opted for deferred resignations. According to an earlier memo from the Office of Personnel Management, approximately 77,000 workers accepted such offers.

Critics worry that the mass departures could hurt the government’s ability to provide essential services. However, officials maintain that these cuts are part of a wider effort to balance the federal budget.

“The overall goal here with the DOGE team is to help address the enormous deficit. We simply cannot sustain, as a country, a two trillion-dollar deficit,” said Elon Musk, a Trump presidential adviser.