Hey news fam! The U.S. Department of Justice just revealed that 4,108 federal employees have been dismissed since the government shutdown kicked off on October 1 – down from last week's estimate of 4,278. 😮
Though that's just a small slice of the roughly 2 million civilian workforce, the cuts are shaking up critical services like disease outbreak probes and student college prep programs. 📉⚕️🎓
President Donald Trump points the finger at the shutdown, which started after talks on a spending plan hit an impasse. He's banking on the layoffs and program cuts to push Democrats toward his proposal. 🤝🚫
Historically, 15 shutdowns since 1981 have furloughed hundreds of thousands, but no leader has ever used a closure as cover for widespread firings at this level. ⚖️
Federal worker unions have filed a lawsuit, arguing that mass layoffs don't qualify as an "essential service" during a funding gap. They say the shutdown can't justify turning furloughs into permanent pink slips. 🏛️📜
A federal judge is set to hear the case on October 15, so stay tuned. 📆
Meanwhile, lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia rallied near the White House, stressing that about 20% of federal employees call DC, Maryland and Virginia home. Rep. Don Beyer fired back: "We will not be defined by small people who have not a drop of empathy in their soul." 💬❤️
Reference(s):
Trump administration says 4,108 workers fired since shutdown began
cgtn.com
