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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “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 healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but not the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the month.

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

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government running,” Stier said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.