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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.