Thursday's deadline for federal agencies to submit plans for large-scale layoffs kicks off a new phase in the dramatic restructuring of how the government operates. Here's what that looks like.

Widespread confusion and fear rippled through the federal workforce Thursday as federal agencies faced a key deadline in President Donald Trump’s push to drastically downsize the government.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order aimed at reducing the scope of eight federal agencies as part of his campaign to downsize the US government.The action eliminates non-statutory functions and reduces others for these entities called “unnecessary” in a White House fact sheet.

The leases targeted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency include several offices of the US Department of Labor, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Three federal leases in Houston have now been listed as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The buildings listed were offices for General Services Administration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

By year end, hundreds of federal agency leases will be terminated, and the GSA and DOGE are leading the charge to clear offices.