White House budget chief Russ Vought has stated on “The Charlie Kirk Show” that the number of federal employees laid off during the government shutdown is expected to rise significantly. Vought, who is the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has led efforts to lay off thousands of nonessential federal workers during the ongoing shutdown. According to Vought, the process of reduction in force (RIF) will continue throughout the shutdown, with the potential for thousands more workers to be affected. Vought expressed his belief that the total number of layoffs could reach close to 10,000 people. However, a federal judge has issued a ruling that temporarily blocks the Trump administration from continuing these furloughs, citing them as unlawful. The administration’s actions have been deemed as illegal, exceeding their authority, and arbitrary.
Vought’s comments come after an OMB official announced that more than 4,000 government employees had already received reduction in force (RIF) notices. However, Vought stated that the number of people laid off under the RIF process is likely to grow. He emphasized the importance of the government’s stance on the issue, stating that they believe it’s crucial to stay on offense for the American taxpayer. Vought highlighted the administration’s desire to be aggressive in shuttering the bureaucracy, not just the funding, but the bureaucracy itself, which he believes is an opportunity to do so. Despite the recent court ruling, Vought remains optimistic about the potential for further layoffs, citing the administration’s belief that the current situation is an unparalleled opportunity to cut the government during the shutdown.
The administration’s actions have been met with resistance, as Democrats have threatened to take the Trump team to court over the alleged illegal firings. Judge Susan Illston’s ruling has underscored the administration’s actions as being in violation of the law. This has raised concerns about the legality of the layoffs and the potential for further legal challenges. The ongoing shutdown has created a tense political environment, with both sides vying for control over the situation. The outcome of this situation will have significant implications for the federal workforce and the broader administration’s approach to governance during periods of government shutdown.