On the campaign trail, Donald J. Trump and his allies left little doubt that, if they returned to power, federal workers would face layoffs, buyouts and agency closures.

Now that President Trump’s plan has become a reality, dozens of federal workers explain what it’s been like to live through it.

Background reading:

Here’s where Mr. Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE have cut federal workers so far.
Stunned government workers are facing sleeplessness, anger and tears.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Michael Parenti, “The Culture Struggle,” Part 2 of 2