The Office of Management and Budget at the White House announced on Friday that the process of terminating numerous federal employees has commenced. This move by President Donald Trump’s administration is intended to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers amid the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its tenth day.
According to Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, reduction-in-force plans, referred to as “RIFs,” are now in effect to downsize the federal government. In a court filing, it was disclosed that more than 4,000 employees are expected to be let go, with the number subject to change due to the evolving funding situation.
The Treasury Department is anticipated to be the most impacted, with over 1,400 job cuts, followed by the Health and Human Services Department with a reduction of more than 1,100 positions. Additionally, the Education Department, Housing and Urban Development, as well as the departments of Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency are set to release hundreds of employees, although the specific programs affected remain unclear.
This drastic measure, exceeding the usual protocols during a government shutdown, heightens tensions between the White House and Congress. Despite minimal efforts to end the shutdown through negotiations, approximately 750,000 federal workers are facing furloughs, with the promise of back pay upon resolution.
President Trump assured that U.S. troops’ payment would be secured using available Defense Department funds, even amidst the shutdown. The President hinted at significant job losses, particularly in areas aligned with the Democrats, without specifying further details.
Several prominent Republicans voiced disapproval of the administration’s actions. Senator Susan Collins criticized the layoffs, attributing the shutdown to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Meanwhile, Senator Lisa Murkowski condemned the timing of the firings, labeling them as punitive towards federal workers.
The notification of layoffs had been initiated before the shutdown, with agencies instructed to submit their reduction-in-force plans for review. The Education Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are among the entities already implementing staff cuts.
The American Federation of Government Employees, representing federal workers, is taking legal action against the administration for what they deem as an abuse of power and a tactic to coerce Congress. The union has requested a court injunction to halt the firings, denouncing the dismissals as unjust and undermining critical public services.
Despite Democrats challenging the legality of the job cuts, Trump hinted at further reductions in the federal workforce if the shutdown persists. The administration’s stance suggests a prolonged impact on jobs, indicating that many positions may not be reinstated once the situation is resolved.