The Trump administration has initiated layoffs for federal employees in California, a move revealed on a recent Friday. This decision comes amid a government shutdown aimed at reducing the federal workforce. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) communicated this plan to a union that represents federal workers. The department indicated layoffs would affect employees whose roles do not align with the administration’s priorities.
Details of the Layoff Notices
At least 442 HUD employees received layoff notices, but specifics on their locations remain unclear. According to data, more than 500 HUD employees are employed in California. Roberta Beggs, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 1450, reported that 20 of her union members were directly impacted. These notices indicated that affected employees would lose their jobs by December 9.
- One employee had just welcomed a newborn.
- Another employee was in recovery from a stroke.
Beggs noted that the union was informed of the layoffs simultaneously with the employees, which she argues violates their agreement with the federal government. Under normal protocols, unions should receive at least 15 days’ notice.
Administrative Justifications
Earlier this month, President Trump stated intentions to use the shutdown to reduce what he termed “Democrat Agencies.” Although he did not specify which departments would be affected, HUD’s spokesperson reiterated that the layoffs are part of aligning the department’s programs with the administration’s objectives.
Beggs criticized the administration’s methods, suggesting that the layoffs were not performance-based. She described this cutting process as akin to a “hatchet job,” reminiscent of large-scale layoffs implemented by some private sector leaders.
Impact of the Layoffs
California hosts approximately 150,000 federal civilian employees, many of whom are currently either working without pay or are furloughed due to the budget stalemate in Congress. On the Friday of the announcement, over 4,100 federal workers across various agencies reportedly received layoff notices. This action is part of an ongoing federal lawsuit concerning the legality of these layoffs, filed by the American Federation of Government Employees.
Legal Ramifications
Both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Internal Revenue Service confirmed that they also delivered layoff notifications to their employees. Critics, including Max Alonzo, the National Federation of Federal Employees’ national secretary-treasurer, argue that these layoffs are illegal. They contend that conducting such reductions requires federal funding and appropriations, which have not been granted since the onset of the shutdown on October 1.
Democratic lawmakers have echoed these concerns, citing potential violations of the Antideficiency Act, which protects against unauthorized budgetary expenditures. Alonzo asserted that the administration’s disregard for legal processes highlights a troubling commitment to bypassing established regulations.
