On January 12th, President Trump moved forward with drastic cuts to the federal workforce, putting our environment, as well as public safety, at risk. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE is set to assess various government departments, including Federal Emergency Management Agency, Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and more. This DOGE is responsible for cutting "wasteful" spending in order to “maximize efficiency and productivity.” Let’s talk about what it’s really doing and how it will impact our environment.
What is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
Despite its name, the DOGE is not focusing on improving governmental operations, but rather has aimed to aggressively reduce the workforce. Requiring Federal agencies to submit reorganization plans, reduce hiring ratios, and implement large-scale layoffs, the DOGE has developed policies that will have adverse effects on the environment and those who have dedicated their lives to protecting it. These policies threaten to gut essential programs and leave remaining employees overstretched and under-resourced.
Wildfire Defense and Response:
As we approach wildfire season, many fear the significant cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Forest Service(USFS) who are essential in preparing for climate-related disasters. California has been no stranger to the devastating impacts of wildfires, with recent years seeing some of the most destructive fires in the state's history. The layoff of thousands of employees, including those responsible for road and trail maintenance, forest thinning, and watershed restoration, could exacerbate the severity of wildfires and flood damage. These workers play a vital role in maintaining firebreaks and managing forests to reduce fuel for wildfires. Without proper maintenance, overgrown vegetation and clogged waterways heighten the risk of uncontrollable fires and post-fire flooding, leading to more severe environmental degradation and economic loss, not to mention the pressure it would put on our already spread thin firefighters.
In addition, if FEMA were to be shut down, there would be even fewer resources for communities to recover from various disasters, leaving vulnerable populations without shelter, aid, and recovery funding. Lack of coordination and emergency responses could increase casualties and prolong recovery time.
Clean Energy:
The transition to clean energy has been essential in the fight against climate change. The Department of Energy(DOE) is responsible for executing this transition. However, out of the nearly 16,000 employees of the DOE, 1,800 were laid off due to Trump’s executive order, with the programs like the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Manufacturing and Grid Deployment taking the brunt of the impacts. These programs are essential for advancing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency and modernizing the nation's power grid. The reductions of these staff members could cause upgrade delays and clean energy development. Let’s not forget the DOE’s vital role in Offshore Wind projects that have the potential to provide millions of homes with clean, renewable energy. These significant staffing shortages will cause permit processing delays, funding disruptions, and research setbacks. The National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health are integral in this research and are facing cuts as well. Without consistent research and funding, the clean energy transition could slow drastically, making it harder for the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Land Management (and Logging)
With over 650 million acres of federal public lands, we rely on dedicated staff to maintain, restore and conserve every inch of it. The DOGE-driven layoffs at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) endanger what little pristine lands we have left. Land managers are essential in enforcing regulations that prevent illegal logging, overgrazing, and environmental degradation. However, with thousands of employees fired, oversight is rapidly diminishing, creating a dangerous opportunity for corporate exploitation and ecological destruction.The Trump Administration has long prioritized extractive industries over conservation, and with fewer federal employees monitoring public lands, logging companies face fewer obstacles when seeking permits for deforestation. The fallout from these cuts is clear: weakened enforcement of environmental laws, increased pollution, and irreparable harm to national parks, forests, and public lands meant for future generations
We are deeply saddened by the loss of so many dedicated land stewards who have been forced out of their roles. Their absence leaves our environment more vulnerable than ever. At the same time, we are immensely grateful for those who continue to serve despite overwhelming challenges. Their work is more vital than ever, and we must support them in resisting the erosion of the safeguards that protect our planet for future generations. With fewer federal employees available to manage and protect public lands, it is more important than ever that recreators and land users take responsibility for their impact. Hikers, campers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts must educate themselves on Leave No Trace principles, fire safety, and sustainable land use practices.
Sources:
The White House. “Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency & Workforce Optimization Initiative.” The White House, 18 Feb. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative/.
U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. “Fact Sheet: Trump and Elon’s Layoffs Jeopardize Essential Services Americans Rely on, Threaten Critical Agency Objectives Keeping Americans Safe & Healthy.” U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/fact-sheet-trump-and-elons-layoffs-jeopardize-essential-services-americans-rely-on-threaten-critical-agency-objectives-keeping-americans-safe_healthy.
Earthjustice. Environmental Implications of Attacks on the Federal Workforce. 14 Feb. 2025.
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). “Managing Federal Lands and Waters.” U.S. Government Accountability Office, https://www.gao.gov/managing-federal-lands-and-waters.