The Trump administration has begun laying off thousands of federal workers in an effort to pressure Democrats amid the ongoing government shutdown. White House Office of Management Director Russell Vought announced the start of the layoffs, referred to as reductions in force (RIFs), emphasizing their substantial nature.
Reports reveal that seven federal agencies have initiated the process, affecting more than 4,000 employees. President Trump has previously threatened to use the shutdown to further his goal of shrinking the federal workforce.
Under federal law, agencies must provide at least 30-days notice for layoffs. Following Vought's announcement, the Treasury Department and Health and Human Services confirmed they were issuing layoff notices, while Homeland Security planned cuts at their Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
These layoffs have sparked significant backlash from unions representing federal workers, with the American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO filing a lawsuit to contest the legality of the layoffs amid the shutdown.
Labor leaders have condemned the administration's actions, labeling them as disgraceful and an exploitation of the shutdown to terminate thousands of essential government workers.
The ongoing government shutdown has been linked to disputes over funding deals, particularly regarding healthcare provisions. With approximately 40% of the federal workforce impacted, employees, both furloughed and essential, face financial uncertainty without pay during the interruption.
Historically, laid-off employees were compensated retroactively after shutdowns ended; however, current signals from the administration indicate that may not occur this time, raising further concerns about the welfare of affected individuals.
As the layoffs progress, both Republican and Democratic leaders remain engaged in a contentious battle over budget priorities, with Trump and Vought viewing the situation as an opportunity to push for significant cuts in federal employment.
