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

Formal Statement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

While Vought provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on services used by the public and pledged to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to fulfill their duties and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, 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 funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.