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Administration officials confirmed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

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

While the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is not expected to be ended soon.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber 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,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any government staff had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis argued that a government shutdown limits the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of the current month, since appropriations expired at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. The flight regulators, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the funding gap.