Memo lays out path to removing even more department of defense civilians from their jobs

The Pentagon is tightening the screws on its civilian workforce. A new directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes managers to fire employees for poor performance while continuing to nudge others toward early retirement or voluntary resignation. More than 60,000 workers have already left this year, but critics say the latest memo feels less like reform and more like intimidation. With half the civilian force furloughed during the shutdown, the plan raises questions about leadership, morale, and whether the drive for efficiency has crossed into heavy-handedness. Meghann Myers with Defense One has the full story.