Trump Administration Announces Mass Firings – IFPTE Condemns

IFPTE issued the following response to the Trump Administration’s announcement today that they are issuing RIF notices to furloughed federal workers: 

“IFPTE condemns in the strongest possible terms the announcement today from OMB Director Russ Vought and subsequent confirmations from the White House that the Trump Administration has begun to fire federal employees across the government.  This is not only illegal, but it is also doing a great disservice to the American public.  Furthermore, it is simply false for the Administration to claim that these layoffs are needed due to the shutdown.  Nothing could be further from the truth, as any final funding measure that is finally passed by Congress will restore the monies necessary to provide the government services that these workers provide to the public.  This is true when it comes to this shutdown, just as it was the case for previous shutdowns.  Simply stated, this is unprecedented, illegal, and immoral. 

“While there are multiple legal challenges to this latest illegal action by this Administration, today’s news needlessly puts thousands upon thousands of federal employees and their families in very uncertain times.  These are American families that have to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and meet the other monthly demands that every other normal family faces.  To use a government shutdown as an opportunity to target these workers is simply deplorable.  

“IFPTE continues to urge lawmakers in Congress to come to a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and rein in this lawless administration.  In the meantime, we will exercise every legal and legislative resource to fight these attacks on behalf of our members.”