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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House 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,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.