The Trump administration has taken decisive action by terminating over 4,000 federal employees as the partial government shutdown extends into its tenth day.
This significant reduction in the federal workforce was revealed through a Justice Department court filing, impacting at least seven Cabinet-level agencies. Federal employee unions, in their legal battle against the administration, uncovered these numbers. They have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking to halt these workforce reductions.
According to the Daily Caller, the Treasury Department experienced the most substantial cuts, with 1,446 positions eliminated. The Department of Health and Human Services followed with up to 1,200 job losses. Other affected agencies include the Department of Education, which terminated 466 employees, and Housing and Urban Development, which released 442 workers.
The Commerce Department dismissed 315 employees, the Department of Energy cut 187 positions, and Homeland Security laid off 176 individuals, as reported by the New York Post.
The court filing also disclosed that additional agencies have issued reduction in force (RIF) notices. The Environmental Protection Agency has warned 20 to 30 employees of potential job losses, while the Patent and Trademark Office sent RIF notices to 126 workers on October 1.
The Justice Department noted, Other Defendant agencies have made predecisional assessments regarding offices and subdivisions that may be considered for potential RIFs based on the criteria outlined in the OPM Lapse Email. But those assessments remain under deliberation and are not final.
The administration contends that the separations will not occur for 30 to 60 days, arguing that emergency court intervention is unwarranted. DOJ lawyers stated, Plaintiffs fail to establish irreparable harm, emphasizing that the potential job losses are not imminent.
White House budget director Russ Vought confirmed the commencement of RIFs on X, attributing the action to Senate Democrats blocking a funding bill. Judge Susan Illston has scheduled a hearing for next Thursday to address the unions' request for a restraining order.
Login