President Trump’s finances chief Friday mentioned mass layoffs of federal staff have begun as the federal government shutdown stretches on endlessly.
There was no instant additional affirmation and scant particulars about what number of staff is likely to be fired nor a breakdown of the influence on varied authorities departments.
“The RIF’s have begun,” tweeted Russ Vought, the Workplace of Administration and Finances chief, utilizing the abbreviation for reductions in power, or layoffs.
A spokesperson for the finances workplace solely mentioned the reductions are “substantial.”
An entrance station signal is seen on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Nationwide Historic Park on the second day of the federal authorities shutdown on October 2, 2025 in Nice Falls, Maryland. (Photograph by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)
The beleaguered Schooling Division is among the many businesses hit by the layoffs, together with the Division of Well being and Human Companies, spokespeople mentioned. Each businesses have already been hit with substantial workforce reductions since President Trump returned to energy in January.
Different affected businesses reportedly embrace the departments of Inside, Homeland Safety, Treasury, Vitality, Housing and City Growth, and the Environmental Safety Company.
Trump and Vought have been threatening to hold out mass layoffs for the reason that shutdown began 10 days in the past, however a number of self-proclaimed deadlines had handed with none announcement.
Mass firings would go far past the traditional follow throughout previous authorities shutdowns, when federal staff had been furloughed however restored to their jobs as soon as the shutdown ends.
Hundreds of federal staff are on furlough whereas others deemed important are required to maintain working, however gained’t obtain paychecks till the shutdown ends.
The shutdown began when Democratic senators refused to vote for a Republican stopgap spending invoice to fund the federal government till Thanksgiving.
Democrats are demanding that the GOP and Trump negotiate over his deep cuts to well being spending and extension of Obamacare subsidies, which they are saying is critical to keep away from large will increase in insurance coverage premiums.
Neither the Senate nor the Home of Representatives had been in session Friday and there have been no talks reported to finish the stalemate.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson, R-La., meet with reporters as the federal government shutdown begins its tenth day, in Washington, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photograph/J. Scott Applewhite)
Some Republicans on Capitol Hill say threats of mass layoffs will solely harden Democratic resolve within the standoff and additional flip public opinion in opposition to the GOP.
Democrats say the layoffs are unlawful. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) mentioned in an announcement that the “shutdown does not give Trump or Vought new, special powers” to layoff staff.
“This is nothing new, and no one should be intimidated by these crooks,” she mentioned.
