UPDATE: The White House confirms that federal firings have commenced as the government shutdown enters its second week. In a shocking development, the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is implementing layoffs, with reports indicating that thousands of federal employees could be affected.
At approximately noon Eastern time on Friday, OMB Director Russell Vought announced via X (formerly Twitter), “The RIFs have begun,” referring to the reduction in force (RIF) orders. This follows a pre-shutdown memo directing federal agencies to consider terminating employees in programs deemed “not consistent with the President’s priorities.”
As the shutdown drags on, federal workers are feeling the strain. Many are currently furloughed, while others are continuing to work without pay, leading to heightened anxiety and financial uncertainty. Business Insider has spoken with two dozen federal employees, revealing a stark picture of life during the shutdown.
Among them is Mark Cochran, a veteran employee of the National Park Service at Gettysburg Military Park. He expressed his exhaustion following a grueling preparation for the shutdown, stating, “Layoffs would be ridiculous. We’ve been doing more with less for decades, and if you cut our staffing even more, then things aren’t going to get done.”
Concerns are mounting across multiple agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, NASA, and the Centers for Disease Control. Workers fear that continued staff cuts will have dire consequences for their livelihoods and the economy. Jill Hornick, a 30-year veteran at the Social Security Administration, detailed the broader impact saying, “There are ripple effects… It hurts all these mom and pop businesses, dry cleaners, and restaurants. The damage to the economy is just inexcusable.”
As of October 10, approximately 658,000 workers across various agencies began receiving partial paychecks for days worked prior to the shutdown. However, many are anxious that this may be the last paycheck they receive until Congress resolves the impasse. One Social Security worker remarked, “It’s an ultimatum with our livelihoods.”
Despite a 2019 law that guarantees back pay to employees following a shutdown, a memo revealed that furloughed workers may not receive compensation unless Congress explicitly authorizes it. This uncertainty adds to the anxiety for the hundreds of thousands affected.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that layoffs will “likely” reach into the thousands, further exacerbating the stress felt by federal workers. The shutdown, now in its second week, has already led to a significant backlog in services, with potential delays at Social Security, postal services, airports, and national parks.
With Democrats and Republicans entrenched in a stalemate over spending and healthcare policies, the end of the shutdown remains unclear. Federal employees and their families are left in limbo, uncertain about their future as the situation develops.
This is not the first instance of federal staff cuts this year, as the Department of Government Efficiency previously implemented mass layoffs during the spring. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, over 200,000 federal workers have lost their jobs, highlighting a trend of increased job insecurity.
As the situation evolves, federal employees and the public will be watching closely for any updates from the White House and Congress. The urgent need for a resolution is palpable, as lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.
