The federal workforce purge begins

The Trump administration began large-scale firings of federal workers this week as part of an aggressive strategy to pressure Democrats during the ongoing ruling body shutdown marking one of the bulk sweeping workforce purges in modern U S history According to the Office of Management and Budget substantial layoffs are underway across at least seven federal departments including Treasury Robustness and Human Services Instruction Housing and Urban Growth and the Environmental Protection Agency Early estimates suggest more than employees are being terminated under reduction in force RIF procedures with thousands more facing prospective dismissal if the budget impasse continues The RIFs have begun Russ Vought russvought October The White House framed the move as a necessary step to restore accountability and eliminate politically motivated obstruction within the federal bureaucracy OMB Director Russ Vought endorsed the action publicly posting The RIFs have begun Administration officers argue that various affected positions are tied to programs misaligned with the president s priorities Critics including labor unions and civil function advocates have called the firings unlawful and politically driven The American Federation of Ruling body Employees and other unions plan to challenge the dismissals in court citing violations of due process and long-standing federal employment protections Even Congressional politicians are joining the conversation While meager details have been shared about Russell Vought s latest layoffs there is no question this is poorly timed and yet another example of this administration s punitive actions toward the federal workforce The termination of federal employees in a shutdown will further hurt Sen Lisa Murkowski lisamurkowski October The cuts go far beyond typical furloughs associated with past shutdowns raising questions about provision disruptions long-term staffing gaps and the precedent it sets for future administrations Analysts warn that permanent layoffs could cripple key agencies and deepen dysfunction in an already strained federal system The regime remains in partial shutdown as negotiations over a funding bill stall on Capitol Hill Meanwhile confusion continues over whether terminated employees will receive retroactive pay once the shutdown ends an issue that could soon add another legal battle to the widening situation Read more about the Shutdown Federal agencies go MAGA amid shutdown Democrats are winning the medical care shutdown war How the establishment shutdown is hitting the robustness care system The post The federal workforce purge begins appeared first on Salon com