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The White House disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders warned 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 government has exploited the funding lapse as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE.

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

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown restricts the authority of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.