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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.