DOGE Drives 48% of 2025 US Job Cuts, Report Shows

Nearly half of all U.S. job cuts in 2025 have been attributed to the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) aggressive cost-cutting measures, spearheaded by Elon Musk, according to multiple reports from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. DOGE-related layoffs accounted for roughly 48% of the 602,500 announced cuts so far this year, with the majority occurring in March. The impact extended beyond government positions, affecting non-profits and education sectors as well. April saw a significant drop in DOGE-driven layoffs but still marked the highest monthly job cut total since April 2020, driven by broader economic pressures and additional large-scale cuts at companies like UPS and Intel. Economic uncertainty, trade policies, and technological changes are contributing to a cautious hiring environment across sectors. The first quarter also saw a decline in GDP, influenced by shifting trade dynamics and anticipation of newly announced tariffs.