The Trump administration has begun mass layoffs of federal employees as part of a government shutdown. This is unusual during a shutdown, where most workers are either working without pay or on furloughs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has circulated a memo stating that back pay is not guaranteed for furloughed employees.
According to court documents, the Department of Justice has sent RIF notices to around 1,000 federal employees. Other agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have also issued similar notifications.
The layoffs are targeting programs without alternative funding sources during a lapse in congressional appropriations. The White House claims that these layoffs will help align priorities with the administration’s agenda.
However, critics argue that this is an abuse of power and circumventing regulatory requirements. Several agencies, including Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Education, Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, have confirmed they are sending RIF notices to employees.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that these layoffs violate federal laws. The union claims that no president has ever decided to fire thousands of workers during a shutdown.
As the shutdown continues, concerns grow about the impact on federal workers and essential services.
Source: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2025/10/omb-says-substantial-federal-employee-layoffs-have-begun