Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Oct 11: The White House announced on Friday that mass layoffs of federal workers have begun, as President Donald Trump seeks to intensify pressure on opposition Democrats to end the government shutdown, which has now entered its third week.
Trump’s budget chief, Russ Vought, confirmed on social media that the administration had started implementing the threat to terminate some of the 750,000 federal employees placed on unpaid leave. While the Office of Management and Budget termed the layoffs “substantial,” no details were provided on the number of workers affected or specific departments.
Democratic leaders slammed the move as an intimidation tactic. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Russell Vought just fired thousands of Americans with a tweet… They’re callously choosing to hurt people—the workers who protect our country, inspect our food, respond when disasters strike.”
Unions representing 800,000 government employees have requested a federal judge in San Francisco to issue an emergency order halting the firings. A hearing is scheduled for October 16 to examine the legality of the move.
Departments including the Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Education have begun sending out layoff notices and reducing nonessential staff. Meanwhile, active-duty military personnel, about 1.3 million strong, are expected to miss their paychecks next Wednesday—a historic first in modern shutdowns.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson described the situation as “a somber day” as the shutdown persists, with Senate Democrats blocking resolutions to reopen federal agencies over disputes about expiring health insurance subsidies affecting 24 million Americans.
Public servants still on the job continue to work without pay, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics delayed the release of key inflation data to October 24 due to the funding impasse, affecting the timely processing of Social Security benefits.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticised the Republican-led Congress, saying, “The American people are sick and tired of the chaos, crisis and confusion that has been visited upon the country by Donald Trump and Republican complete control of Congress.”