The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday began laying off hundreds of its probationary employees, signaling the latest firings from government agencies in an effort to downscale the federal workforce.

The Trump administration began its massive reorganization of the federal government earlier this month, after the Office of Personnel Management directed federal agencies to begin firing its employees who are still in their probationary period.

Three sources told The Hill that the NOAA layoffs will affect between 560 and 1,830 workers at the agency, which could amount to more than 10% of its workforce. The agency had a permanent workforce of 11,758 in fiscal year 2023.

The sources said the terminations were contingent on whether Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was confirmed and sworn in. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce, and provides daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, coastal restoration, and the supporting of marine commerce, the department website says.

The firings began on Thursday afternoon and are expected to continue into Friday.

California Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, slammed the firings in a statement.

“[Elon] Musk’s sham mission is bringing vital programs to a screeching halt. People nationwide depend on NOAA for free, accurate forecasts, severe weather alerts, and emergency information. Purging the government of scientists, experts, and career civil servants and slashing fundamental programs will cost lives,” Huffman said. 

“My Democratic colleagues and I will keep fighting back in state and federal courts, in the halls of Congress, and the court of public opinion," he continued. "This is a betrayal of the American people, and it will not stand.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.