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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the lower chamber 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 end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations 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 the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

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