The largest union representing federal workers in the United States has announced plans to lay off more than half of its members nationwide. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) states that this decision follows a series of executive orders by President Donald Trump that have significantly impacted the union’s finances.
AFGE currently employs 355 people nationwide. Due to the financial impact of Trump’s actions, the union expects to cut that number down to around 150. This reduction includes organisers, national representatives, support staff, and other key employees who help run the union’s operations.
These job cuts are a major blow to AFGE, which has been one of the most vocal and active opponents of Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government.
The union has taken a strong stand against the president’s policies. It has filed lawsuits challenging the firing of federal probationary workers and questioned the legality of sharing sensitive government data with the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which billionaire Elon Musk heads. The union has also organised protests and public events to push back against the administration’s actions. Despite the financial crisis, AFGE leaders say they will not give up.
“This is a setback, but not the end of AFGE — not by a longshot,” the union said in a statement released Thursday after the national executive council approved the layoff plan. “We will not be deterred, silenced, or intimidated into submission. Whether it’s in the courts, on Capitol Hill, or in the press, AFGE will continue to stand tall and defend the rights of America’s civil servants as long as it takes.”
Trump’s administration recently called AFGE a “hostile” organisation and accused it of having too much control over the way the government operates.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order removing union protections from nearly 600,000 of the 800,000 federal employees that AFGE represents. This includes workers in major departments such as Veterans Affairs and Defence. A previous order had already stripped union rights from 47,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees under the Department of Homeland Security.
AFGE is fighting back against these orders in court, saying they are not only harmful but also illegal and aimed at punishing the union for its opposition.
One of the most damaging changes has been the removal of automatic union dues deductions from employee paychecks. This means federal workers who want to remain union members must now sign up for electronic payments instead. AFGE has been urging its members to switch over, but the union expects a significant drop in dues payments, which will result in a substantial loss of income.
The result of this financial strain is the planned layoff of more than 200 employees. Over 100 of these staff members work under the national office of the union’s president. Dozens more are spread across AFGE’s 12 regional districts nationwide.
Justin Youngblood, president of an AFGE chapter representing workers at a VA hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, stated that the layoffs would significantly hinder local unions’ ability to perform their duties.
“It’s going to demolish us,” Youngblood said. “That’s going to cut the legs off of AFGE and all of the locals.”
Youngblood also criticised the union’s national leadership, saying they should have better prepared for a drop in revenue with Trump back in office.
The news about the layoffs comes just days after AFGE hosted a town hall event in Kansas City. At the event, federal employees expressed deep concern about job cuts, confusing return-to-office policies, and sudden workplace changes under Trump’s leadership.
AFGE workers have not yet been told exactly who will be losing their jobs. However, union employees have received notices saying that permanent layoffs could begin as early as June.
The union is trying to rally support and keep as many members as possible. However, with its financial base shrinking and key staff being cut, many worry that AFGE will be unable to continue its strong advocacy at the same level.
The layoffs will likely slow down the union’s ability to take legal action, organise protests, and represent workers across different federal departments. For federal employees who rely on AFGE to advocate for their rights, the impact of these cuts could be severe.
Still, union leaders are not giving up. They say they will continue to fight, no matter the challenges.
AFGE has a long history of representing federal workers and advocating for job protections. But this moment marks one of the biggest threats the union has faced in recent years.
Trump’s second term has brought a wave of changes to how the government operates. Many of those changes are directly aimed at reducing the power of federal unions. Whether it’s ending dues collection, removing employee protections, or reshaping entire departments, the White House has made clear it wants to limit union influence in federal workplaces.
For AFGE, the coming months will be a test of survival. With fewer staff and shrinking resources, the union must find new ways to stay active, organised, and effective. Even with the cuts, AFGE says it remains committed to its mission. “This isn’t over,” the union’s statement said. “We are in this for the long haul.”
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