White House Confirms Major U.S. Government Job Cuts Underway Amid Shutdown

The White House has officially stated that significant job cuts in the federal workforce are already being implemented as part of its plan to manage the ongoing government shutdown. The announcement represents a dramatic escalation from standard furloughs, moving instead toward permanent terminations.

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought confirmed that “RIFs” (Reductions in Force) have commenced, adding that these cuts are part of a broader effort to restructure the civilian federal workforce. Several major agencies, including Health & Human Services, Treasury, Education, and Commerce, have reportedly begun issuing layoff notices to employees.

Unlike prior shutdowns—when employees were typically placed on unpaid leave with the expectation of returning once funding resumed—this approach seeks lasting reductions in personnel. The scale and timeline remain uncertain, but sources suggest that as many as hundreds of thousands of federal civilian roles could be targeted this fiscal year.

The move has triggered immediate backlash from labor groups and Democratic leaders, with lawsuits expected to challenge the legality of the mass firings. Opponents argue that the shutdown does not grant sweeping authority to terminate employees permanently and that due process protections may be at risk.

If these cuts proceed unabated, many essential public services could experience disruption. Critical functions in health services, tax administration, cybersecurity, and enforcement agencies are all vulnerable. For laid-off workers, the transition from furlough to termination means loss of benefits, job security, and possible permanent displacement—even if funding is eventually restored.