Trump Administration Begins Layoffs of Federal Workers Amid Government Shutdown

According to Rokna, the Trump administration has begun formally laying off thousands of federal employees as the government shutdown enters a new and uncertain phase, marking one of the most consequential escalations in Washington’s ongoing budget standoff.

According to official filings submitted to a federal court late Friday, more than 4,000 positions across U.S. government agencies are being eliminated as part of what officials described as a “reduction in force” triggered by the prolonged shutdown.

In a statement, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed that the layoffs are now underway, following weeks of furloughs that left many government offices partially or fully closed. OMB Director Russell Vought said the administration had “no choice but to begin permanent reductions” due to what he called “Congressional failure to pass responsible funding legislation.”

The decision represents the first large-scale dismissal of federal employees in a modern shutdown. Previous budget impasses typically resulted in temporary furloughs rather than permanent terminations.

Union representatives and Democratic lawmakers condemned the move, warning that mass layoffs could cripple essential public services and further damage morale across the federal workforce. “These are not just numbers — they are people who serve the country every day,” said one senior union official, calling the action “an attempt to weaponize the shutdown for political leverage.”

The White House, however, defended the decision as fiscally necessary. Senior aides close to President Trump reportedly believe that taking a hard line on federal spending will increase pressure on Democrats to accept deeper budget cuts and policy concessions.

The ongoing shutdown — now stretching into its third week — has already disrupted several key functions, from environmental monitoring to small business lending. With layoffs now officially underway, the human cost of the political deadlock is expected to grow significantly.

Analysts warn that if the stalemate persists, further agency-level terminations could follow, potentially affecting tens of thousands more federal workers in the coming months.