The Trump administration has begun laying off thousands of federal workers in an effort to pressure Democrats amid the ongoing government shutdown. Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management, announced the start of these “reductions in force” (RIFs) on X. A spokesperson confirmed the cuts were substantial and began affecting workers across seven agencies, with initial reports indicating over 4,000 employees received layoff notices.
President Donald Trump has previously indicated a desire to reduce the federal workforce, and the shutdown provided an opportunity to implement these plans. While federal law typically requires 30 days’ notice for layoffs, the administration is moving forward with these actions. Major departments, including Treasury and Health and Human Services (HHS), have confirmed they are issuing layoff notices. The Department of Homeland Security also stated that employees at its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would be affected.
The legality of these layoffs during a shutdown is being challenged by major unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO, which have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the move. Union leaders have criticized the administration’s actions as “disgraceful” and illegal.
In its legal filings, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicated that approximately 4,600 employees would receive RIF notices starting on Friday. The Treasury Department is expected to see the largest number of cuts, with around 1,446 employees affected, followed by HHS with 1,100 to 1,200 notices. Other departments, including Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Energy, and Homeland Security, are also planning significant workforce reductions.
These layoffs are seen as unprecedented. In previous government shutdowns, furloughed employees typically returned to work with back pay once the government reopened. However, the current situation raises concerns about the continuity of services and the future employment of federal workers. The administration views the shutdown as a critical moment to advance its long-term goal of reducing the federal workforce, building on previous cuts made since President Trump took office.
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