Announced Layoffs Surge 245 Percent in February Amid DOGE-Related Federal Cuts

Federal workers account for more than one-third of last month’s tally.

A USAID federal worker with her personal belongings leaves the USAID office in Washington on Feb. 27, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Planned job cuts have hit their highest levels since the pandemic as U.S.-based employers navigate economic headwinds.

Global recruitment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported on March 6 that U.S. employers announced 172,017 layoffs in February, the highest monthly total since July 2020. It was also the largest tally for the month since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago.