Debate erupts over federal worker firings as shutdown looms

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman criticizes firing federal workers during a shutdown as unfair, while supporters say it’s needed to hold agencies accountable and cut waste.

As a government shutdown continues, concerns grow over President Donald Trump’s alleged plans to fire federal employees, with Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen speaking out to clarify the situation.

“Have you heard the rumor that President Trump is using the shutdown to push for mass firings? Fact. He’s threatening to use the government shutdown to advance a longtime agenda of his, of firing career nonpartisan federal workers,” Sorensen said.

The Heritage Foundation’s Rachel Greszler, a fiscal expert and closely following government workforce policies, noted that although a shutdown alone does not authorize mass firings, the Trump administration is using congressional inaction to prepare reduction in force plans.

“It is true that a temporary government shutdown does not, in and of itself, give the administration the authority to issue RIFs,” Greszler told The Center Square in a statement. “But the administration is using the fact that Democrats refused to pass a clean bill to keep the government funded—instead demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending—to initiate RIF plans if Congress fails to pass a funding bill within 60 days, or if Congress decides to pass a bill with reduced funding levels.”

Sorensen said the president has no legal authority to do this.

“A government shutdown gives Trump no ability to fire workers. It’s just a threat to scare and intimidate people,” said Sorensen in a video posted on social media.

Sorensen warned of “chaos” from federal workforce cuts during a shutdown, while Greszler argued they could boost efficiency and accountability.

“We’ve already seen the chaos when Trump and Elon Musk fired tens of thousands of people, from Social Security to even the National Weather Service,” Sorensen said, suggesting that large-scale firings could ripple across government operations.

As the administration noted in an Office of Personnel Management memo, Greszler said actual firings remain unlikely without congressional action but stressed the political leverage such RIF plans provide.

“Once fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted, agencies may consider revising their RIFs as needed to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions,” Greszler said. “A prolonged shutdown could demonstrate agencies’ ability to operate more efficiently while still carrying out their statutorily required duties with significantly fewer people, thus providing justification for Congress to reduce funding.”

Sorensen, however, frames the situation as a matter of stability and public trust.

“Right now, public servants and service members across the country and around the world are working without pay to keep us safe,” said Sorensen. “Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center are tracking two hurricanes off the coast, TSA agents are screening passengers, hospital staff are caring for wounded veterans, and our troops are defending our national security, all without pay. It’s not fair, and it’s not right. So I’ll ask again: Republican members of Congress, where are you?”