Vought says federal worker layoffs have started

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said Friday that federal worker layoffs have started.

"The RIFs have begun," Vought posted on X, referring to “Reductions in Force.”

Shortly after Vought's post, the OMB confirmed that “RIFs have begun and are substantial,” CNBC reported.

The layoffs began on the 10th day of the government shutdown.

Four days earlier, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett warned that President Donald Trump could “start taking sharp measures” if the shutdown continued. Both Senate Republicans and Democrats have their own proposals that have been voted on multiple times to fund the government, but neither has reached the 60-vote threshold.

Hassett said that “any government worker who loses their job” will have Democrats to blame.

The American Federation of Government Employees responded to Vought's post, saying, “The lawsuit has been filed.”

Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO said in a post, “America’s unions will see you in court.”