Trump’s freeze this time around is set to expire after 90 days, though agencies will first have to submit plans—in consultation with OMB and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—to permanently reduce their rolls through efficiencies and attrition. The Internal Revenue Service will face a longer freeze, per Trump’s order.

Earlier hiring freezes actually made government services less efficient, the Government Accountability Office found.

Federal employees face an uncertain future as President Donald Trump works to remake the federal workforce. NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez reports on the executive order targeting diversity, equity and inclusion.