Federal employee unions sue Trump admin over potential layoff plan if government shuts down

Two federal employee unions on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over its alleged threats to fire a large number of federal employees in the event of a government shutdown. 

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought instructed federal agencies last week to consider whether to implement reduction-in-force plans if the government shuts down on Wednesday. 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also warned of massive layoffs if the government does shut down.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) unions filed the lawsuit that challenges the warnings in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

“Announcing plans to fire potentially tens of thousands of federal employees simply because Congress and the administration are at odds on funding the government past the end of the fiscal year is not only illegal – it’s immoral and unconscionable,” AFGE President Everett Kelley said in a statement. “Federal employees dedicate their careers to public service – more than a third are military veterans – and the contempt being shown them by this administration is appalling.” 

The unions claimed in the lawsuit that plans to fire employees in the case of a shutdown is an unlawful abuse of power that was aimed at pressuring Congress to cave to the Trump administration. During federal shutdowns, employees are typically furloughed and given back-pay when Congress restores funding.

The Senate is expected to vote on two continuing resolutions on Tuesday evening, including one resolution that was passed by the House that would keep the government running through Nov. 21 if passed.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.