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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

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 running,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.