(AURN News) — Ten days after the shut down of the federal government, the White House has begun firing workers — a move that has never happened during a shutdown. The Office of Management and Budget confirmed substantial layoffs across key agencies, including Homeland Security, Education, Energy, and Health and Human Services.
OMB Director Russell Vought announced in a post on X that reductions in force, or RIFs, have begun — signaling the administration’s intent to permanently eliminate positions rather than temporarily furlough employees.
Democrats are calling the move illegal and vindictive, arguing that a shutdown gives the president no authority to fire career federal workers.
The RIFs have begun.
— Russ Vought (@russvought) October 10, 2025
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the administration is choosing to inflict more pain on the American people. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also criticized the move, saying the firings should stop immediately.
Many observers believe the move is part of a broader effort to pressure Congress into accepting President Donald Trump’s funding plan, which would cut health care access for millions of Americans.
