Urgent: Substantial Federal Layoffs Begin Amid Shutdown Crisis
UPDATE: The Trump administration has confirmed that “substantial” layoffs of federal workers have officially begun, signaling a dramatic shift in government operations during the ongoing shutdown. This announcement was made by Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought via a social media post, stating, “The RIFs have begun.”
This news comes as the administration follows through on threats to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce, which could impact thousands of employees nationwide. The reduction-in-force (RIF) process is underway, although specific numbers of affected workers remain undisclosed.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), multiple divisions have already issued RIF notices to employees deemed “non-essential” due to the shutdown. Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, stated, “HHS employees across multiple divisions have received reduction-in-force notices as a direct consequence of the Democrat-led government shutdown.”
The HHS has already cut over 20,000 workers through previous RIFs and voluntary departures, raising questions about the necessity of further layoffs. The situation is fluid, with uncertainty surrounding which other agencies may also be impacted and when any terminations will take effect.
Federal law stipulates a minimum of 60 days’ notice for RIFs, although this can be shortened to 30 days with a waiver from the Office of Personnel Management. Agencies may also need to notify unions and Congress, adding layers of complexity to the RIF process.
In response to the looming layoffs, the American Federation of Government Employees, led by President Everett Kelley, condemned the administration’s actions. Kelley described the situation as “disgraceful,” arguing that the shutdown is being exploited to unlawfully terminate thousands of workers who provide essential services to communities across the country.
“It is disgraceful that the Trump administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers,” Kelley stated.
The RIF announcement coincided with a court-ordered deadline for the federal government to disclose any planned or ongoing RIF notices due to the shutdown. Critics have pointed out that the administration’s justification for these cuts, blaming Democrats for the funding lapse, lacks legal foundation. Notably, experts argue that no federal statute mandates the mass layoffs during a temporary government shutdown.
Jessica Riedl from the Manhattan Institute stated, “There is no statute requiring them to lay off a substantial share of federal employees during a temporary government shutdown.” This perspective highlights a growing concern about the administration’s approach to managing federal resources.
As the shutdown continues, the Trump administration has made several threats to cut spending, including freezing transportation funding in major cities like Chicago and New York, and canceling billions in Biden-era energy project grants. These actions are perceived as part of a broader strategy to shrink the federal bureaucracy.
With the situation evolving rapidly, federal employees and their families are left in a state of uncertainty. Many are anxiously awaiting further updates on their employment status and the potential impacts of these layoffs on their livelihoods.
This developing story will continue to unfold, and updates are expected as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest on this urgent matter affecting thousands of federal workers across the nation.
