The memo expands the Republican president’s effort to downsize the federal workforce, directing agencies to develop plans to eliminate employee positions.

The Trump administration has directed federal agencies to submit a reorganization plan by March 13 to prepare for mass layoffs, according to a memo released on Wednesday, Fox News reported.

The Trump administration is directing federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs of their workers, according to the heads of the White House budget office and Office of Personnel Management. Budget Director Russell Vought and acting OPM Director Charles Ezell said in the memo to the heads of departments and agencies the they will

Some employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the U.S.’ nuclear weapons, were reportedly summoned back to work after being laid off.

The Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent agency that hears appeals by government employees when they are fired or disciplined, issued the decision at the behest of a watchdog agency whose leader's removal by Trump has been stalled by the courts.

Trump administration issues memo directing federal agencies to plan for sweeping layoffs of government employees.