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The White House confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Early Information

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Also, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the announcement, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid amid the shutdown.