“The RIFs have begun.” That statement from Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought was posted to his X account on Friday.
A “RIF” is a “reduction in force,” meaning some federal workers are receiving pink slips — something Vought warned about in a memo regarding a government shutdown in late September. That memo told agencies to start preparing for the possibility of mass layoffs, especially for programs “not consistent with the President’s priorities.”
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The reduction in force is “substantial,” according to reports.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded to Vought’s RIF announcement, writing on X:
“Russell Vought just fired thousands of Americans with a tweet. Let’s be blunt: Nobody’s forcing Trump and Vought to do this. They don’t have to do it. They want to. They’re callously choosing to hurt people—the workers who protect our country, inspect our food, respond when disasters strike. This is deliberate chaos.”
Agencies confirm layoffs, details remain limited
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education told The Associated Press the agency is currently experiencing new layoffs. The spokesperson did not disclose the number of individuals affected, the specific offices or roles impacted or whether the layoffs are intended to be permanent.
Some employees working in federal health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) also lost their jobs Friday. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not provide the number of workers being laid off to the AP.
While meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Donald Trump was asked how many federal job cuts would be permanent.
“I’ll be able to tell you that in four or five days if this keeps going on,” Trump replied. “If this keeps going on, it’ll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back. But you’re gonna have a lot closer to a balanced budget, actually.”
Senate battle over funding and health subsidies continues
On day 10 of the shutdown, a political standoff in the U.S. Senate continues. Republicans want a “clean” bill — a basic funding bill with no extra provisions. They accuse Democrats of insisting on unrelated additions, which is preventing the bill from passing.
Democrats argue that Republicans are refusing to extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.” They warn that without these subsidies, health insurance premiums will rise, making coverage unaffordable for many.
Senate Republicans have attempted to persuade some Democrats to support a temporary bill to reopen the government. However, those votes have failed.
