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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

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

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused 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 unlikely to be resolved soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but not the beginning of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

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