The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed Monday that it has reduced its workforce by 4% as part of broader federal efforts to eliminate probationary employees. The cuts come as the NHTSA continues multiple investigations into Tesla, whose CEO, Elon Musk, has been closely linked to federal employment policies under the Trump administration.
Despite these job cuts, the NHTSA stressed that its overall workforce is still 30% larger than it was under previous administrations. Before the layoffs, the agency had around 800 employees, although reports suggest it had approximately 675 employees in 2023.
Currently, the NHTSA is conducting three investigations into Tesla. One investigation started in early January and focuses on 2.6 million vehicles due to crash reports related to Tesla’s remote-movement feature. The agency also requires Tesla and other manufacturers to provide crash data on driver-assist technology.
There are worries that reducing the NHTSA’s staff could weaken its ability to regulate autonomous vehicles, which could affect how safely these systems operate in real life.
Musk, who leads an unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been associated with the broader push for federal staffing cuts. However, it remains unclear how directly involved he was in decisions affecting NHTSA.
Regulatory Rollbacks
Experts predict that if the Trump administration continues on its previous path, the NHTSA’s regulatory efforts may slow down. Under President Biden, the agency has been actively working on rules related to impaired driving technology, pedestrian safety, and advanced driver assistance systems.
During Trump’s first term, investigations into vehicle defects fell to “near all-time lows,” limiting the NHTSA’s ability to find and address vehicle problems. There are concerns that Musk’s involvement in the administration could affect NHTSA’s actions, especially regarding Tesla-related investigations.
Adding to the uncertainty, the NHTSA is currently missing several key leadership roles, including the administrator and deputy administrator. Earlier this month, Jonathan Morrison, a former chief counsel for the NHTSA and an Apple employee, was nominated to lead the agency.
Nevertheless, improving the agency’s efficiency could lead to better auto safety and quicker investigations, rather than simply cutting its workforce.
