“The RIFs have begun”: White House confirms ‘substantial’ layoffs under way amid US shutdown

The White House has confirmed “substantial” federal layoffs as part of ongoing “reductions in force” amid the US government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. Thousands of federal employees across agencies like DHS, Treasury, and HHS face job losses, sparking lawsuits from unions and intensifying political tensions between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats.