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

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it includes provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been brought back to carry out layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.