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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

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

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the lower chamber 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 stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.