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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

While the official provided no details on which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers 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 do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, 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 block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.