Overview

• OMB Director Russell Vought announced on X that government-wide reductions-in-force have started.
• An OMB spokesperson said the layoffs would be substantial, but the administration has not released totals or a full agency list.
• Health and Human Services, Treasury and Education confirmed they have begun issuing RIF notices to some employees deemed nonessential.
• Federal employee unions moved for an immediate court halt, and Judge Susan Illston directed OMB to report the status of planned and ongoing notices by 6 p.m. ET Friday.
• The action departs from recent shutdown practice as nearly 800,000 workers are already furloughed or unpaid, and experts note a funding lapse does not create new RIF authority.