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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for letting employees go.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a court official ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since funding expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.