Washington: The White House announced on Friday the commencement of mass layoffs of federal employees, marking a significant escalation in the government shutdown that has immobilized Washington for 10 days.
According to Anadolu Agency, Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), confirmed the initiation of these layoffs on the social media platform X, indicating that 'the RIFs have begun.' This refers to the reduction-in-force plans that aim to cut thousands of jobs across federal agencies.
An OMB spokesperson described the layoffs as 'substantial' but did not specify the total number. Court filings later disclosed the administration's intention to dismiss at least 4,100 federal employees during the ongoing shutdown.
The layoffs are most significant in departments such as Education, Health, and Treasury. The filings, submitted to the US District Court for the Northern District of California in response to a union lawsuit, provided the first detailed account of the reductions. Stephen Billy, a senior adviser at the OMB, revealed that notices were issued to employees in various departments, totaling between 4,152 and 4,262 positions.
Federal employee unions have condemned the firings as 'illegal' and politically motivated. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), criticized the administration for using the shutdown as a pretext to unlawfully dismiss thousands of workers providing crucial services.
Democrats accused the Trump administration of exploiting the shutdown to advance political objectives, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denouncing the move as a deliberate act of chaos. Some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins, also expressed opposition to the layoffs, arguing they were unnecessary.
In defense, the administration argued that the cuts were 'lawful, necessary, and fiscally prudent,' claiming that the reductions would pressure Senate Democrats to approve a stopgap bill to extend government funding. Officials stated that agencies were ordered to prepare RIF plans before the shutdown, targeting programs not aligned with the President's priorities.
A court ruling is anticipated soon from Judge Susan Illston, who is presiding over the union lawsuit in California. Her decision will likely influence the duration of federal operational disruptions as the shutdown approaches its third week.