The Defense Department says it’s cutting 5,400 probationary workers starting next week and will put a hiring freeze in place.

"We expect approximately 5,400 probationary workers will be released beginning next week as part of this initial effort, after which we will implement a hiring freeze while we conduct a further analysis of our personnel needs,

WASHINGTON >> The Pentagon said today it would start firing about 5,400 civilian employees who were on probation, the first moves by President Donald Trump’s administration at the department to make good on its promise to reduce the federal workforce.

U.S. officials say Department of Government Efficiency staffers were at the Pentagon on Tuesday and receiving lists of the military's probationary employees.