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Results of layoffs have begun on federal agencies, with terminations of probationary employees who are underway at the Department of Education and Small Business Administration, federal staff and union sources told CNN on Wednesday.

The layoffs mark the first from the Trump administration when President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency aim to dramatically shrink the federal workforce. Until now, federal employees across all state agencies had only been put on paid administrative leave.

The move comes the same day as a federal judge allows the administration’s deferred severance program to continue. About 75,000 employees have accepted the offer, which generally allows them to leave their jobs, but is paid through the end of September.

A form letter sent to the Department of Education staff, obtained by CNN, who informed them of their resignation, said: “The agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment on the agency would be in general interest. ”

At the Department of Education, the layoffs have influenced employees across the agency from the General Advocate’s office to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services that support programs for children with disabilities, to the federal student aid office, a trade union source told CNN.

The source said they have heard from dozens of employees who are fired, but the full extent of the layoffs was not immediately clear.

The American Federation of Government -Employees represent about 160 employees in the Department of Education falling under trial status.

Read more about the layoffs.