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The White House disclosed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report 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 initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the beginning of October, since funding expired at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

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

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.