Washington: The United States federal government has officially begun implementing workforce reductions as the government shutdown extends into its tenth day. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), these layoffs target multiple agencies and reflect the administration's effort to curb spending while the budget impasse continues.
Agencies affected include the Treasury Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Departments of Education and Commerce, and the cybersecurity division of the Department of Homeland Security. Although precise figures remain fluid, reports indicate that over 4,200 federal employees have already been impacted. This marks a continuation of a downsizing strategy earlier in the year, which aimed to eliminate roughly 300,000 federal civilian positions.
President Donald Trump attributed the workforce reductions to Democratic opposition in Congress, particularly regarding stalled negotiations over Affordable Care Act subsidies. The administration maintains that these layoffs are necessary to manage federal expenditures and to prevent further financial strain on the government.
Labor unions have pushed back, filing lawsuits challenging the legality of the layoffs during a government shutdown. They argue that terminating federal employees in such circumstances violates existing federal law. A federal judge is scheduled to hear the case on October 15, setting the stage for a potential legal showdown.
Meanwhile, nearly two million federal workers remain without pay, facing mounting financial uncertainty as the shutdown drags on. The impact of these workforce reductions extends beyond government operations, affecting families and communities dependent on federal employment. With no immediate resolution in sight, the situation continues to pose a significant challenge for U.S. governance and public services.