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Massive Federal Workforce Reduction Amid Government Shutdown
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced substantial layoffs of federal workers this week amid the ongoing government shutdown. According to an AOL article, Vought posted on X that the RIFs, meaning reductions in force, have begun, targeting more than four thousand employees across agencies. LAist reports that an OMB spokesperson confirmed to NPR the layoffs are substantial, with details emerging in a court declaration listing affected departments. The Department of Health and Human Services faces one thousand one hundred to one thousand two hundred job cuts, as stated by HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon, who noted these non-essential workers were furloughed due to the shutdown. The Department of Education will lose four hundred sixty-six employees, drawing criticism from union leaders like Rachel Gittleman of AFGE Local two fifty-two, who called it an illegal dismantling against congressional intent.
Vought's move came hours before a court deadline ordered by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who is overseeing a lawsuit challenging the layoffs. OMB senior advisor Stephen Billy described the situation as fluid in his declaration, hinting at more reductions ahead. President Trump echoed this, telling supporters it affects a lot of people because of Democrats refusing to end the shutdown without health care subsidies.
USA Today first reported Vought's involvement in another major decision: the breakup of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. Vought announced this on X Tuesday night, aiming to end the center's operations, which climate scientists say is critical for research.
These actions align with the Trump administration's push to shrink the federal bureaucracy, including prior efforts at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where Vought served as acting director earlier this year. Critics like Senator Susan Collins strongly oppose the permanent layoffs of furloughed workers, calling their roles vital to the public.
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Published on 2 days, 16 hours ago