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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican bill, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.