October 2, 2025
Trump plans mass federal layoffs during shutdown
Trump eyes 16,000 firings, targets 'Democrat Agencies'
🏛️Government👷Labor
On October 2, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that layoffs were ''imminent'' and likely ''in the thousands'' as a result of the government shutdown.\n\nThat same day the President posted on Truth Social that he would meet with OMB Director Russell Vought to identify which federal programs to cut and whether cuts would be temporary or permanent.\n\nLabor unions including AFGE and AFSCME filed suit on September 30, 2025 in the U.S.\n\nDistrict Court for the Northern District of California challenging OMB and OPM guidance that directed agencies to consider reductions in force during the funding lapse.\n\nThe government began issuing RIF notices in early October; by mid-October public filings showed roughly 4,000 layoffs reported to the court, multiple rescinded notices at HHS, and agency and union declarations describing chaotic implementation.\n\nA federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on October 28, 2025 pausing further shutdown-related RIFs pending litigation.
On October 2, 2025, White House Press Secretary 
Karoline Leavitt announced layoffs were imminent and likely in the thousands as a result of the government shutdown. Her comments established the administration intent to use the shutdown for workforce reductions.
President Trump posted on Truth Social on October 2, 2025, that he would meet with OMB Director 
Russell Vought—he of PROJECT 2025 Fame—to identify which federal programs to cut and whether cuts would be temporary or permanent. This public statement linked the layoffs to Project 2025 goals.
Labor unions AFGE and AFSCME filed suit on September 30, 2025, in the Northern District of California (case 3:25-cv-08302), naming OMB, OPM, Director Russell Vought, and OPM Director Scott Kupor as defendants challenging shutdown RIF guidance.
The OMB Lapse Memorandum cited in the lawsuit instructs agencies to use this opportunity to consider reductions in force for programs not consistent with the President priorities. This language goes far beyond standard shutdown contingency planning.
By mid-October 2025, public court filings and agency declarations showed agencies reported roughly 4,000 layoffs to the court. Some agencies issued and later rescinded multiple RIF notices at HHS, creating chaos and uncertainty for affected employees.
A federal district court issued a preliminary injunction on October 28, 2025, enjoining further shutdown-related reductions in force while the case proceeds. The order pauses many RIFs and preserves employees status pending resolution.
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 and subsequent laws prohibit removing federal employees based on political affiliation. Trump stated intent to make layoffs Democrat oriented (Oct 10 statement) directly contradicts these legal protections.
During shutdowns, normal personnel procedures and oversight mechanisms are suspended: the Merit Systems Protection Board lacks funding to hear appeals, union representatives are furloughed, and congressional oversight is limited. This created an opportunity for mass firings without usual safeguards.
🏛️Government👷Labor
People, bills, and sources
What You Can Do
1
practicing
File FOIA requests for agency reduction-in-force planning documents
Use FOIA to request any OMB or agency 'RIF' guidance, waiver requests, or lists of positions targeted for elimination during the funding lapse.
2
civic action
Report suspected Antideficiency Act violations
If furloughed staff performed unauthorized work to implement RIFs, file a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel using OSC reporting tools.
3
civic action
Support legal defense for affected workers
Donate or contribute to union legal funds defending workers against unlawful RIFs and to groups litigating to protect due process rights.