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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker terminations on Friday, making good on prior threats in response to the ongoing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third straight week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on social media that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated a national union president, who leads the AFGE.

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

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to support a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP bill, 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 fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to provide specifics on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started before the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs took place on the very day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period.

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

“It is wrong to make government staff suffer because our leaders 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 food inspectors are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.