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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the government’s process for letting employees go.

Although the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate said. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.