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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

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

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck 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, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.