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Administration officials confirmed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers announced that employees at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Labor representatives warned that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

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

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed legislation 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 next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

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

Impact on Workers

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but not the start of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

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

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

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.