The federal government shutdown has now escalated into something much bigger than unpaid leave. Trump is openly threatening to take furloughed workers and make their job losses permanent, a move that’s already sparking legal battles.
The White House and the Office of Management and Budget have told agencies to prepare for “reductions in force” if the shutdown drags on. That means thousands of government employees who expect to be called back when funding is restored could instead find themselves out of work for good. Labor unions representing federal workers aren’t waiting to see how this plays out. The American Federation of Government Employees and other groups have filed lawsuits against OMB and the Office of Personnel Management, accusing the administration of making unlawful threats.
They argue that the government cannot use a shutdown to push through mass firings, especially when laws like the Antideficiency Act limit what can happen during a funding lapse. Union leaders say the administration’s tactics are meant to intimidate workers and weaponize the shutdown for political gain. As the shutdown continues, the standoff has become more than just about budgets. For tens of thousands of federal employees, it’s now about job security and whether the courts will step in before mass pink slips become reality.
