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The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

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

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, 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 filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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