How did Reagan terminate 11k+ air traffic controllers in ‘81? There must be a way to overcome The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
The air traffic controllers kind of terminated themselves in that they walked off the job. What was Regan to do? He had to replace them.
Agencies can be downsized but the process is long and difficult. I once worked for a government chartered corporation that, by law, had to shut down on a date certain. Even then it took years to deal with all the associated personnel, financial, and logistical issues. Its very complicated.