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Administration officials disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

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

A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.