Layoffs At NOAA Denounced, MD Leaders Expand Job Resources

Story synopsis:

• Maryland's governor says 10,000 workers in the state could lose their jobs in Trump cuts.
• State leaders just expanded a website at response.maryland.gov/federalpublicservants to help fired federal workers.
• Both online and in-person job fairs will be held in the next few weeks to help fired workers find jobs.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland leaders on Friday announced new resources for federal workers who have been laid off, one day after job cuts struck the Montgomery County-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) unveiled plans to expand the state's website for fired federal workers, direct those employees to roles in education or the Maryland government, expedite hiring for state positions and host job fairs.

Moore said he initially hoped to find common ground to work with President Donald Trump to save jobs, but he now fears that federal job cuts in Maryland could surpass 10,000.

"While I will work with anyone, I will bow down to no one," Moore said at a press conference, adding that Trump's government downsizing has caused "chaos and uncertainty."

Related: Have you been laid off by the federal government during Trump's second term? Take Patch's survey and tell us about your experience. We may publish the information you share.

NOAA Layoffs In MD Criticized

Earlier Friday, Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen condemned Thursday's layoffs of about 650 employees at NOAA, which is headquartered in Silver Spring. The job cuts are said to have included weather forecasters, weather satellite operators and experts tracking satellites to prevent space collisions.

The state's senior senator demanded answers from Commerce Department Secretary Howard Lutnick, who oversees NOAA. Van Hollen wants to know the exact number of staffers who were let go and how that will affect operations in Maryland. NOAA also has smaller offices across the state, from Annapolis to College Park.

"Clearly, it will have an impact on Maryland's economy. These are really patriotic people doing great work," Van Hollen said, noting that the effects extend beyond Maryland.

NOAA's other duties include mapping the ocean for shipping routes and monitoring fisheries to ensure seafood harvests are sustainable. In Maryland, that means making sure there are enough blue crabs and shrimp in the Chesapeake Bay.

About 30% of NOAA's Office of Space Commerce is said to have been laid off, while at least one person was released from the Tsunami Warning System.

NOAA is in charge of the National Weather Service, which provides free forecasts for the entire nation. The National Hurricane Center also falls under NOAA.

"NOAA, of course, is our first line of defense against extreme weather events. They're our eyes and ears. When you close your eyes and plug your ears, people will get hurt," Van Hollen said.

Federal Workers Can Find Help Online, Job Fairs

Moore directed displaced workers to the state's just-expanded resource website at response.maryland.gov/federalpublicservants.

Information on 130,000 job openings is available through that hub. There are now links for housing support, veterans programs, local resources and state benefits.

Over 51,000 people have visited the webpage since it launched two weeks ago, the governor said.

Moore plans to connect job-seekers to careers in education by opening pathways for federal workers to earn teaching licenses. Details are available at teach.maryland.gov.

"Maryland is facing a severe teacher shortage, and we need to fill more classrooms with qualified teachers," Moore said. "This approach will both support laid-off employees and close the educator shortage that we're having in the State of Maryland at the same time."

A similar push will funnel former federal employees into open positions for the state government. There will be a virtual information session on March 7 with specifics. Additional in-person open houses will follow in Prince George's County and Baltimore City.

"One thing that I learned from serving in the military is that service isn't just a 'what.' It oftentimes also comes with your 'why.' Our federal employees, they want to continue serving. They want to continue leading," Moore said.

Moore signed three memos expediting state hiring, ordering Maryland government vacancies to be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is found.

"Get it filled. Move quickly. And let's finish the job," Moore said.

The governor finally announced that job fairs will be held statewide. Details will be available at labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers.

"Partnership produces progress," Moore said. "These job fairs are designed to connect Marylanders with opportunities in both the public and the private sectors."

Related: Trump Administration Seeks Plans On Moving Federal Agencies Out Of DC Region

Recap Of Trump's Government Downsizing

The layoffs are the latest in President Donald Trump's effort to downsize the federal government and save taxpayer dollars. He tapped Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, to identify wasteful spending.

Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE, to comb through the budget in search of excess. That has sparked cuts to international aid and thousands of layoffs at agencies ranging from the Department of Agriculture to the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Our country is right now under assault from the highest office in the land. We are watching a wave of illegal activities through the Musk effort and the president's effort," Van Hollen said.

Related: MD Lawmakers Protest Trump Cuts, Data Sharing: 'Keep Hands Off Social Security'

Other job cuts have hit the Department of Education, the National Parks Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other organizations.

The layoffs have largely targeted probationary employees who are recent hires. Those workers may be new to the federal government or they may be tenured employees who just transferred to a new role.

"At this point, we anticipate almost all probationary workers in the federal government either have been or likely will be laid off. And in Maryland alone, that amounts to around 10,000 people," Moore said, adding that a federal judge on Thursday found many probationary job cuts unlawful.

About 75,000 workers have also accepted buyouts, voluntarily resigning in exchange for several months' worth of pay.

Republicans cheered Trump's push to slash the budget, saying many social programs aren't essential.

Democrats instead point to the human toll of the layoffs. Maryland had 158,000 federal workers as of 2023, so Democrats fear the layoffs will disproportionately affect Maryland's economy.

"What I have seen over these past six weeks is worse than anything we could've anticipated, Moore said.

Related: MD Launches Resource Website For Federal Workers Affected By Layoffs