The Trump administration confirmed federal workforce reductions Friday as the U.S. government shutdown reached its 10th day, marking an escalation in the budget standoff. White House budget director Russell Vought announced via social media that 'RIFs [Reduction in Force] have begun,' though specifics about affected agencies or employee numbers remain undisclosed.
Multiple departments including Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Treasury are reportedly preparing significant layoffs according to U.S. media. The American Federation of Government Employees condemned the move as 'disgraceful,' filing a lawsuit alleging illegal termination of workers providing critical services.
Political tensions intensified as President Trump blamed Democratic lawmakers for the impasse, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Republicans of using federal employees as 'pawns.' Congressional negotiations stalled Thursday after both parties rejected competing proposals – Democrats seeking expanded healthcare provisions and Republicans pushing for a 'clean' temporary funding bill.
This development breaks from historical precedent where federal workers typically receive back pay after temporary furloughs. Analysts suggest the permanent layoffs could disrupt essential services ranging from border security to tax processing, with potential ripple effects on government operations and economic confidence.
