DOGE cuts drive layoffs in March to highest level since pandemic

U.S. employers in March announced the third-highest number of layoffs on record last month as Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continued its efforts in reducing the federal workforce, new data showed.

The monthly report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that employers announced 275,240 job cuts in March, a 60% increase from the prior month when 172,017 cuts were announced. 

Last month's cuts are up 205% from March 2024, which was the highest monthly total recorded last year.