Ranking Member Robert Garcia, Full Slate of Oversight Committee Democrats, Launch Investigation Into All Major Federal Agencies As They Plan to Illegally Lay Off Thousands of Federal Workers During Republican Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led all 20 Committee Democrats in launching an investigation into the government’s 24 major federal agencies regarding the Trump Administration’s threats to launch illegal mass firings at federal agencies during the current government shutdown. New reductions in force (RIFs) during the shutdown would violate both the law and federal regulations. Targeted agencies touch every aspect of Americans’ lives, from health care to education to national security, and massive layoffs could permanently cripple federal services. An illegal reduction in force during the ongoing shutdown would also be devastating for thousands of federal workers across the country.

“Let’s be very clear: The Trump Administration’s plan to fire thousands of federal workers during this ongoing Republican government shutdown is both malicious and without a doubt, illegal. That is why we are launching an investigation into every single major agency to see if they plan to go on the record and blatantly ignore the law,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. “Even though this Administration thinks they can get away with whatever they want, Oversight Democrats will be here to fight back every single time. We will always protect our federal workers and every American across this country.”

In the letters to the 24 major federal agencies, the lawmakers wrote, “Furthermore, the record is extremely clear: any RIF or purge of federal workers must be understood as part of a longstanding attempt by extremists within the administration to destroy essential services, and not as a necessary response to a lapse in appropriations. In February, agencies were instructed to begin implementing RIF and reorganization plans by September 30, 2025.  Despite calls for transparency, the Trump Administration refused to tell the American people how it actually intends to execute these “plans,” leaving Congress to wonder if these plans truly exist or if the Administration is merely paying lip service to the law while purging the federal workforce of anyone the Administration views as ideologically impure.” 

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