The Trump administration has initiated layoffs affecting thousands of federal workers in response to the ongoing government shutdown. White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought confirmed via social media that “reductions in force” (RIFs) had commenced, indicating that the size of the cuts is “substantial.” Seven agencies have reportedly begun laying off over 4,000 employees, aligning with President Trump’s intention to reduce the federal workforce amid the shutdown.
Federal law mandates at least a 30-day notice for layoffs, and major departments like Treasury and Health and Human Services have started notifying employees accordingly. The Department of Homeland Security is also laying off workers, particularly within its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. However, detailed information about the layoffs remains limited, raising questions about the transparency of the process.
Two unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO, have filed a lawsuit to challenge the legality of the layoffs during the shutdown, seeking a temporary restraining order in federal court. They argue that the administration’s actions are unlawful and that the subsequent layoffs will harm essential services.
During previous shutdowns, furloughed employees typically returned to work with retroactive pay. Currently, about 40% of federal workers, approximately 750,000 people, are affected by unpaid leave resulting from the budget impasse. While furloughed employees are expected to receive back-pay post-shutdown, there are indications from the Trump administration that this could be uncertain.
Prior to the shutdown, the administration had been making preparations for workforce reductions, with an estimated 200,000 federal employees already cut since January. Recent reports highlighted plans for nearly 300,000 job cuts this year, particularly targeting roles perceived as inconsistent with the President’s objectives. As discussions continue, questions remain about the implications of these layoffs on government operations and employee rights.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mxd1g71vxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss