WASHINGTON—Nearly six months into President Trump’s second term, voluntary departures from the government have thinned the ranks so much that some agencies are saying more cuts aren’t necessary after all.

A court-ordered pause in May covered nearly two dozen federal agencies at different stages of executing President Trump’s directive for mass layoffs. The Supreme Court said the administration could proceed.

Business Insider spoke with 16 federal workers after the Supreme Court decision that will allow federal staff cuts to continue.

Veterans have historically had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans. But one driver has shifted significantly this year: job cuts across the federal workforce, which the Trump administration has sought in what it describes as an effort to make the government leaner and more efficient.

As more federal workers join the ranks of the unemployed, they face a challenging job market. Unemployment claims from laid-off federal workers looking for new jobs are up nearly 60% year-over-year.

Federal employees in Maryland anxiously await the Supreme Court’s decision on whether the Trump administration will be allowed to proceed with firing thousands of federal government workers.

Videos show emotional scenes as tearful State Department employees emerge to applause from colleagues after being abruptly fired.

OPM's plans for reforming federal employee performance management need to account for workers for whom annual performance goals may not translate their worth.