American Federation of Government Employees

Government Shutdown 2025 Triggers Federal Layoffs, Disproportionate Impact on Black Workers

The ongoing government shutdown has triggered thousands of federal layoffs, with reports indicating disproportionate impacts on Black workers and their communities. Administration officials confirm RIFs targeting multiple agencies while healthcare programs face significant cuts.

Federal Shutdown Leads to Widespread Layoffs

The 2025 government shutdown has entered its 11th day, triggering what sources indicate are the first waves of Reduction in Force (RIF) actions across multiple federal agencies. According to reports, budget director Russell Vought confirmed the initiation of RIFs in a social media post, marking the administration’s follow-through on previous threats made as the partisan budget standoff continues.

by Alvarez JordanOctober 15, 2025November 2, 2025

Education Policy

Trump Administration Cuts College Prep Program Staff Despite Republican Support, Sources Reveal

The Trump administration has eliminated nearly all staff overseeing federal college preparation programs serving 900,000 low-income students. Republican senators who defended these programs were not consulted about the cuts, sources reveal.

In a significant move during the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration has terminated almost all 60 staff members overseeing federal college-preparation programs for low-income students, according to sources familiar with the situation. The cuts target TRIO programs that serve approximately 900,000 students across all 50 states, despite Republican Party lawmakers having defended these very services earlier this year.