Politico reports that OMB Director Russell Vought has announced the promised RIFs have begun. It felt like they'd never get around to it.
An administration official granted anonymity to discuss the layoffs said they hit agencies including: Interior, Homeland Security, Treasury, EPA, Commerce, Education, Energy, HHS and HUD.
President Trump said earlier during a Cabinet meeting.
We’re only cutting Democrat programs, I hate to tell you, but we are cutting Democrat programs. We will be cutting some very popular Democrat programs that aren’t popular with Republicans, frankly.
I believe the President is having too much fun, teasing Democrats by threatening and then actually terminating federal workers. As yet we don't have details as to the number RIFed or from which programs.
Later ... The Hill reports on how many RIFed in each agency.
The most significant layoffs took place at the Treasury Department, with 1,446 employees receiving RIF notices Friday.
The Department of Health and Human Services also saw major cutbacks, with roughly 1,100 to 1,200 employees affected, the filing states.
Friday’s RIFs also impacted approximately 466 Education Department employees, 442 Department of Housing and Urban Development employees, 315 Commerce Department employees, 187 Energy Department employees and 176 Department of Homeland Security employees.
