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The White House confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for letting employees go.

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

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.