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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS 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 Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, 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 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.