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The White House disclosed the initiation of government employee terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

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

Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is unlikely to be resolved soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed 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 do their job and reopen the government,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, unions filed for a court injunction to prevent the government from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing official advice that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

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

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. The air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

The irony is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.