The Trump administration has initiated a series of layoffs affecting thousands of federal employees, a move intended to pressure Democrats amidst the continuing government shutdown. Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management, announced the start of these “reductions in force” (RIFs) on X, confirming that the cuts are significant.
The administration’s intention to reduce the federal workforce has been a stated goal, and the current shutdown has provided an opportunity to implement these plans. Several key departments, including Treasury and Health and Human Services (HHS), have begun issuing layoff notices. Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is also affected.
The legal framework requires a minimum 30-day notice for federal layoffs. However, the precise scale of these initial cuts remained unclear, with reports suggesting over 4,000 employees across seven agencies were set to receive RIF notices. The Treasury Department is expected to see the largest impact, with approximately 1,446 employees notified.
Union representatives have challenged the legality of these actions, filing a lawsuit to temporarily block the layoffs. They argue that the administration is exploiting the shutdown to illegally dismiss workers who perform essential services. The government’s legal team, however, contends that a restraining order would harm the government’s ability to manage its workforce effectively.
This round of layoffs is reportedly unprecedented, as federal workers typically return to their jobs with back pay after a shutdown concludes. The current shutdown, which began 10 days ago, has already placed about 40% of the federal workforce, approximately 750,000 people, on unpaid leave.
The administration views the shutdown as a critical juncture to further reduce the federal workforce, building on previous cuts made through firings, buyouts, and other measures since President Trump took office. The Partnership for Public Service has estimated a significant reduction in the federal workforce, with numerous job cuts announced this year impacting federal employees.
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