Shortly after Donald Trump’s re-election as president of the United States, the federal government began implementing historically high numbers of employee layoffs. Implemented by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), these cuts are part of a broader attempt to save taxpayer money and reduce the national debt. DOGE views these federal job cuts as a key way to shrink government costs. Since its establishment through one of President Trump’s first executive orders in 2025, DOGE has caused massive disruptions across a variety of sectors.
The cuts have affected over 17 federal agencies, including the International Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The numbers behind these layoffs are staggering. In the first two months of 2025 alone, over 62,530 federal employees have been laid off—a massive 41,311% increase compared to 2024 levels, according to reports from BBC and Newsweek.
While most media attention surrounding these cuts has focused on larger metropolitan areas and Washington, D.C., small communities like Hastings-on-Hudson may also feel significant consequences. Hastings is home to many people who commute to New York City for work, some of whom are employed in federal agencies or businesses that rely on government contracts. With job reductions hitting key sectors, local residents working in these fields may face job insecurity, hiring freezes, or even layoffs.
This poses an additional possible issue for Hastings High School students finding internships, specifically through the science research program. Many internship opportunities are supported by federal funding and partnerships, especially with the Department of Education (DOE). A number of science research students work with college professors and researchers whose labs rely on federal funding. With recent federal layoffs and cuts, programs that fund or create these internships may be reduced or eliminated.
Another potential impact on Hastings public schools revolves around how federal grants and programs help fund public school education. With cuts to federal agencies, like the Department of Education and NOAA, schools may lose access to funding and resources. This could limit educational opportunities for students, making it harder for them to access resources.
Despite the common misconception, DOGE is not an official government department but rather a program created by Trump’s executive order. This means that the program has the full backing of the executive branch, but it also bypasses checks and balances that would come from Congress. The primary focus of DOGE is to streamline government operations by reducing costs, but critics argue that the approach may not be effective in reducing expenditures. Trump told reporters that this plan may cut upwards of one trillion dollars of debt. According to Don Moynihan, a professor at the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, the government spends “about $350 billion on federal employees every year, out of a $6.5 trillion budget.” Josh Bivens, chief economist at the Economic Policy Institute, furthered this statement, saying that only 5% to 6% of federal spending is allocated to federal employees.
While DOGE’s plan to cut federal jobs is meant to reduce the national debt, many believe it could end up causing a lot of problems in the long run. As more and more jobs are eliminated, both the economy and education system could take a serious hit. It’s unclear whether these cuts will actually help reduce government debt as intended, but what is certain is that communities across the country will feel the impact.
