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Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on Friday, making good on earlier warnings in response to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to stretch into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which departments were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing 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 millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the deadlock is not expected to be ended soon.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a federal judge ordered the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

A report argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing guidance that admitted any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the shutdown began.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the same day that federal workers got only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but not the beginning of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have failed to keep our government running,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.