Trump Administration Begins Major Layoffs Amidst Government Shutdown

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:34:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has started laying off thousands of federal workers as part of efforts to pressure Democrats during the ongoing government shutdown.

The Trump administration has announced the initiation of layoffs affecting over 4,000 federal employees as part of ongoing efforts during the government shutdown. White House Director Russell Vought confirmed that 'reductions in force' (RIFs) have begun across seven federal agencies, including significant cuts at the Treasury and Health and Human Services. Two unions are challenging these layoffs in court, claiming it undermines critical services. The move has met criticism from various political figures and illustrates the administration's long-standing goal of reducing the federal workforce.

The Trump administration has begun laying off thousands of federal workers in an effort to pressure Democrats amid the ongoing government shutdown.

'The RIFs have begun,' White House Office of Management Director Russell Vought announced in a post on X on Friday morning, referring to an acronym for 'reductions in force'.

A spokesman for his office confirmed the cuts had started and were 'substantial'. Their size and scope began coming into focus later on Friday, when the administration disclosed seven agencies had started laying off more than 4,000 workers.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the shutdown to further his long-held goal of reducing the federal workforce.

By law, the federal government must give its workers at least 30-days notice before laying them off.

After Vought's tweet, major departments such as Treasury and Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed they were issuing notices to employees, while Homeland Security would lay off workers at its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Two major unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO, have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Vought's announced plans to carry out layoffs during the shutdown.

Despite the ongoing government shutdown, which began 10 days ago after lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on funding, the administration is pushing ahead with its plans to streamline federal employment.

The layoffs are not only significant in number but also highlight a shift from how past shutdowns were handled, where furloughed employees were paid retroactively.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has accused Trump and Vought of creating 'deliberate chaos' amidst the current political impasse, as discussions continue over essential healthcare and employment programs.

The Partnership for Public Service has indicated that the federal workforce has shrunk by about 200,000 employees since Trump took office, with 299,755 planned job cuts projected for this year alone.