FROM THE HILL: The White House said Friday it had started laying off federal workers, following through on a threat to do so amid an ongoing government shutdown.
An OMB spokesperson confirmed the layoffs had started “and they are substantial.” But they did not provide information on how many employees or which agencies were impacted.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a statement that employees “across multiple divisions” had received notices about reductions in force “as a direct consequence of the Democrat-led shutdown.”
According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “All HHS employees receiving reduction-in-force notices were designated non-essential by their respective divisions.
“HHS continues to close wasteful and duplicative entities, including those that are at odds with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.”
In a post on X, OMB Director Russ Vought posted: “The RIFs have begun.”
The RIFs have begun.
— Russ Vought (@russvought) October 10, 2025
🚨BREAKING: OMB Director Russ Vought confirms that federal workforce reductions have begun. pic.twitter.com/6da7OOf17E
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 10, 2025
BREAKING: OMB Director Russ Vought says a federal workforce reduction is underway as the government shutdown drags on. pic.twitter.com/4h063Q9hB0
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 10, 2025
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