The Trump administration has commenced layoffs of more than 4,000 federal workers due to the ongoing government shutdown. A Justice Department court filing revealed on Friday that the affected employees span across the departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Treasury and HHS are bearing the brunt of these layoffs, with notifications sent to approximately 1,446 Treasury employees and between 1,100 to 1,200 at HHS. Education, Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, and the EPA also face reductions, albeit in smaller numbers. The layoffs, referred to as "reductions in force" (RIFs) by White House budget director Russ Vought, are said to be "substantial" by an Office of Management and Budget spokesperson.
While these layoffs are currently in effect, officials have stated that further RIFs may be considered as the shutdown prolongs, though such decisions are still in the discussion phase. This action comes amid legal disputes, with organizations such as the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO challenging the Trump administration's authority to furlough workers during the shutdown.
A senior administration official emphasized that the figures in the court filing represent a particular moment in time and should be considered fluid, as reported by NBC News. The layoffs have drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that a shutdown does not bestow the president with the power to terminate federal workers or grant him expanded authorities. They suggest that the administration is using these layoffs as a punitive measure against career employees.
In the Department of Homeland Security, the layoffs are primarily within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has been accused by the department of previous "censorship, branding and electioneering" under the Biden administration. A DHS spokesperson stated that the current reductions are aimed at refocusing CISA on its primary mission.
HHS has expressed that their layoffs are intended to streamline operations and eradicate "wasteful and duplicative entities," aligning with the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, as per HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon.
Meanwhile, the larger picture presents a standoff between Congress and the White House over government funding, with the shutdown now extending into its second week. As a result, federal employees across various agencies are grappling with uncertainties regarding their income and benefits. Officials caution that further job cuts may ensue if funding is not reinstated, leaving thousands more federal workers in jeopardy.
