The White House budget office announced on Friday the commencement of mass firings of federal workers, a move by the Trump administration to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers during the 10th day of the ongoing government shutdown.
Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, confirmed on social media that the reduction-in-force plans, known as RIFs, have been initiated to downsize the federal government workforce.
A court filing revealed that more than 4,000 employees are set to be terminated, with the Treasury Department facing the loss of over 1,400 employees and the Health and Human Services Department expecting a reduction of over 1,100 staff members. The Education Department, Housing and Urban Development, as well as other departments like Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency, are also expected to dismiss hundreds of employees.
The unprecedented move by the budget office escalates the tensions between the White House and Congress amid the ongoing shutdown, with minimal progress in negotiations to end the impasse. Typically, furloughed federal workers are reinstated with back pay once the shutdown concludes, but approximately 750,000 employees are anticipated to be furloughed during this period.
President Trump directed the Defense Department to utilize all available funds to ensure the timely payment of U.S. troops, despite the shutdown, by the upcoming Wednesday.
While some leading Republicans voiced opposition to the layoffs, citing concerns about the impact on federal workers, Trump defended the decision, emphasizing that the firings would primarily affect areas aligned with Democrats. The administration’s actions drew criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Susan Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski, who condemned the layoffs as punitive measures against federal employees.
Notices of terminations have already been issued to various agencies, including the Education Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The Department of Homeland Security justified the layoffs at the latter agency as necessary to refocus its efforts.
The American Federation of Government Employees, representing federal workers, filed a legal challenge against the administration, arguing that the layoffs were an abuse of power aimed at pressuring Congress. The union sought a court injunction to halt the firings, denouncing the administration’s actions as an attempt to punish workers.
Democrats have raised concerns about the legality of the firings and have challenged the administration’s decision, questioning the timing and motives behind the layoffs. Despite the resistance, Trump hinted at the possibility of further job cuts in the coming days, warning that prolonged shutdowns could have lasting effects on the federal workforce.
