The gov't staff behind $52 billion chip program join the list of DOGE casualties

Summary

The Trump administration has laid off 60 employees, cutting two-fifths of the U.S. Chips Program Office, which manages the Chips and Science Act.

The cuts include 20 voluntary resignations and 40 probationary employees terminated by Monday.

Trump opposes the Chips Act, which allocated $52 billion for U.S. semiconductor production, favoring economic tariffs over direct funding.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick credits tariffs for TSMC’s new $100 billion U.S. investment. The future of the Chips Office remains uncertain, with potential further cuts ahead.