Government Layoffs Announced

The Trump administration initiated mass layoffs, officially termed “Reductions in Force” (RIFs), with plans to ultimately fire at least 4,100 employees across several federal agencies.

The layoffs were announced by OMB Director Russell Vought, following threats to use the government shutdown to enact the cuts.

The figures were confirmed in a court filing by senior OMB adviser Stephen Billy, submitted in response to a union lawsuit.

The action comes in the context of President Trump’s repeated references to federal employees as members of the “deep state.”

Estimated Layoffs by Agency (Per Court Filing)

The following estimated numbers of employees were confirmed to receive RIF notices:

Treasury: 1,446

Health and Human Services (HHS): 1,100 to 1,200

Education: 466

Housing and Urban Development (HUD): 442

Commerce: 315

Energy: 187

Homeland Security: 176

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): 10 to 30

Opposition and Legal Challenges

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)—the largest federal employee union—sued the administration and vowed to continue fighting until all layoff notices are rescinded.

Lawyers who represent federal workers believe that conducting firings during a shutdown is illegal, a move that Wall Street economists warned would lead to “confusion and litigation.”

Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) denounced the planned cuts, stating the administration simply “want[s]” to hurt American workers.

The RIFs add to an already shrinking federal workforce, which was down by 200,000 employees this year prior to these notices.

Gemini can make mistakes, so double-check it