RIF: White House Says Substantial Layoffs of Federal Workers Have Begun, With Few Details

"The US government's 21-day shutdown has reached a boiling point, with the Trump administration making good on its threat to slash the federal workforce by issuing 'substantial' layoffs. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought confirmed the layoffs had begun, tweeting, "The RIFs have begun." According to sources, around 4,200 employees were laid off in total, with the Commerce and Education Departments being hit the hardest. The layoffs are a rare and unprecedented move during a government shutdown, where employees are typically furloughed or work without pay.
The administration's decision to proceed with layoffs has been met with fierce opposition from federal unions, with the AFL-CIO vowing to take the issue to court. The AFSCME union has warned of 'devastating effects' for Americans, as the layoffs will likely ripple through the economy. The Treasury Department has also confirmed layoffs within its ranks, with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security also set to be affected.
As the shutdown enters its third week, the ripple effects of the layoffs will be felt across the country. Federal workers, who are already facing financial uncertainty, will now have to contend with the added stress of being laid off. The move by the Trump administration has raised concerns about the impact on public services and the economy. The administration's decision to proceed with layoffs has been seen as a sign of desperation, with some analysts suggesting it may be a ploy to gain leverage in negotiations.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the federal workforce is in turmoil. The question on everyone's mind is what's next for the administration, and whether the layoffs will have far-reaching consequences for the country. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high. The US government's shutdown has become a crisis that demands attention, and the fate of federal workers hangs in the balance.",
"tags": ["federal workforce", "layoffs", "shutdown", "Trump administration", "OMB", "RIFs"]
}