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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

Russell Vought posted on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a union for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

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

“It is disgraceful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who deliver critical services to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that federal workers got only a incomplete payment covering the final days of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.