🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide critical services to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.