These are the agencies Trump is purging during the shutdown

President Trump and his administration are prepared to lay off thousands of federal workers on Friday, using the government shutdown as an opportunity to target agencies that aren't aligned with the president's views.Why it matters: The mass layoffs could further decimate a federal workforce already down 200,000 employees since Trump retook office, sending away thousands more who are in charge of crafting America's health care, education and environmental policy. What they're saying: A spokesperson for the largest federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, told Axios that the Trump administration is "illegally" firing thousands of workers who provide "critical services" to communities across the country."In AFGE's 93 years of existence under several presidential administrations — including during Trump's first term — no president has ever decided to fire thousands of furloughed workers during a government shutdown," they said.The federation is also suing the administration on behalf of its over 800,000 members.The White House declined to comment on the layoffs, referring Axios to the Office of Management and Budget, which said the layoffs are underway and "substantial."Here's what we know about the currently affected agencies, and what public services they offer:Health and Human Services DepartmentHHS would not immediately confirm how many employees will receive layoff notices or which departments will be affected."HHS employees across multiple divisions have received reduction-in-force notices as a direct consequence of the Democrat-led government shutdown," a spokesperson told Axios' Maya Goldman and Tina Reed.The layoffs come after a wave of scientists already voluntarily or involuntarily left the department earlier this year due to concerns about Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's leadership.The department is tasked with overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, which together provide health care for nearly 40 percent of Americans, including children. The department also administers the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Head Start programs. The HHS also includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which monitors for emerging health threats.The Department of Homeland SecurityA DHS spokesperson told Axios that reductions in force "will be occurring" at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which aims to reduce threats to America's cyber and physical infrastructure."This is part of getting CISA back on mission," they said in an emailed statement.DHS did not answer Axios' questions on if the layoffs would affect Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the agency in charge of carrying out the president's massive detainee and deportation programs.It also did not confirm if there would be any cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which prepares for natural disasters and responds to emergencies.The Treasury DepartmentA Treasury spokesperson confirmed to Axios that employees at the nation's primary financial agency were notified that they were being let go on Friday.According to a lawsuit filed by the AFGE, approximately 1,300 notices were sent out.The Treasury Department presides over a variety of agencies in charge of fiscal policy, including; the Internal Revenue Service, which collects taxes; the U.S. Mint, which issues coins as well as commemorative medals; and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.The Education DepartmentEducation employees will be "impacted by the RIF," a spokesperson confirmed to Axios on Friday.The department would not detail which department offices would be affected.By the numbers: Roughly 50% of the department's workforce was let go in March, turning the department tasked with administering financial aid and funding, equal access for marginalized student populations and providing oversight for education policy into a skeleton crew.The cuts come after the Supreme Court in July allowed Trump to move forward with his plan to dismantle the department.The Environmental Protection AgencyA union representing EPA employees told Axios that agency employees were informed of impending layoffs Friday. "Using our jobs as political leverage is an unprecedented and illegal abuse of power," Justin Chen, President of AFGE Council 238 said in an emailed statement.The EPA is charged with protecting air quality, preventing water pollution, and overseeing hazardous waste disposal.The Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentA spokesperson for HUD confirmed to Axios that the department has also sent out layoff notices: "HUD is implementing a reduction in force to align our programs with the Administration's priorities and the appropriations available to the department."The department provides housing assistance and operates several programs tasked with ensuring equal access to homeownership for veterans, impoverished families and historically marginalized communities.The Energy DepartmentThe agency tasked with the nation's energy research, conservation, and nuclear weapons is also being hit with layoff notices, a source familiar with internal policy confirmed to Axios.Go deeper: Trump officials say "substantial" federal worker layoffs have begunEditor's note: This story has been updated with a HUD statement.

Comments

World news

Stolarz blasts Maple Leafs following OT loss

Global News

‘No Kings’ protests pass in festival atmosphere as an estimated 7 million across US rally against Trump’s ‘authoritarianism’

about 8 hours ago

Hamas hands over bodies of two more hostages, Israel confirms

Skynews

Comments

World news

Stolarz blasts Maple Leafs following OT loss

‘Am I going to heaven, chat?’: SNL’s Trump stops by teen podcast to ramble about No Kings, war and George Santos

Why Trump decided not to hand Ukraine its secret weapon

Fergie’s loyalty to Andrew led to her downfall – it’s Eugenie and Beatrice I pity

DWP overpayment errors leave pensioner over £100m in debt

The British woman who opened a Costa Brava hotel – long before the tourism boom

Farage and Reform not properly scrutinised by broadcasters, say BBC viewers

Trump told the CIA to target Venezuela – now he’s hoping for a top-level mutiny

Angela Griffin: I was unprepared to host the Golden Globes – and failed miserably

I found £50 in a library book and spent it on a dinner out. Was I in the wrong?

Bolivia heads to the polls in a tight runoff as voters seek a president to lift them from crisis

Brazil circus spotlights path to healing for female victims of gender-based violence

A mushroom farm in Kenya and fungi-based panels give hope for sustainable building

Killers film themselves opening family's gifts before unleashing unthinkable act

Horror as tourist bus crash in northeastern Brazil leaves at least 17 dead

Jets’ Scheifele soaks up milestone moment at home

Scheifele helps Jets soar past Predators

Trump posts AI video of himself flying KING TRUMP jet and bombing protesters with brown liquid

US says Hamas is planning 'imminent' attack on Gaza civilians

Calgary Stampeders trample Toronto Argonauts 44-13

Kraken top Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime

Scheifele sets franchise points record as Winnipeg Jets down Nashville 4-1

US airstrike destroyed 'drug-carrying submarine', says Trump - as survivors repatriated

Blue Jays once again turn to rookie Yesavage

Schneider continues to defend bullpen choices

Newsom lashes out at Trump for Marines live fire exercise over major highway: ‘Ego over responsibility’

Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ marchers rally across America

Morocco's Gen Z protesters demand accountability, education reform

US Embassy warns Americans in Trinidad and Tobago as tensions with Venezuela rise

'I'm 89 and I saw my homeland rebuilt before - but now I don't believe Gaza has a future'

Mystery deepens after missing schoolgirl found dead in pop star D4vd's Tesla

Spanish town bans black cat adoptions during Halloween

Why I fell in love with a book called I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

Grand Theft Auto made him a legend. His latest game was a disaster

Jays’ Springer ‘feeling better’ ahead of Game 6

Fire bans in effect across southwest Quebec

Budget airliner 'almost falls into sea' at 300mph just moments after taking off from Italian holiday hotspot

Ex-Proud Boys leader and Jan 6 convict Enrique Tarrio attends ‘No Kings’ rally in Miami

‘No Kings’ protests pass in festival atmosphere as an estimated 7 million across US rally against Trump’s ‘authoritarianism’

Hamas hands over bodies of two more hostages, Israel confirms

US to repatriate survivors of strike on 'drug-carrying submarine', Trump says

Watch: Aerials show thousands attending No Kings protests across the US

Israel receives two bodies that Hamas says are Gaza hostages

'I miss the past, but we like the money': The Bali-fication of a laidback surfers' island

NPR's Jane Arraf reflects on decades of covering the Middle East

Trump in the crosshairs: ‘No Kings Day’ rallies draw hundreds of thousands

Freed: To keep Quebec secular, let’s change rue St-Hubert into chemin Barbecue

International enrolment numbers drop at UPEI by 14.2 per cent

Judge shuts down Saskatchewan climate action lawsuit

Bell: Teacher strike all but over — Danielle Smith isn't about to cave

'More exciting': Curling goes rock and roll as Grand Slam tour sweeps Nisku

Neighbourhood vigil honours five-year-old crash victim

US will send survivors of strike on suspected drug vessel back to Ecuador and Colombia, Trump say

Israel says Gaza’s Rafah crossing will remain closed, adding pressure over hostages’ remains

Best signs and costumes from the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests condemning the Trump administration

Kristi Noem gets luxury $172M jets she had asked for prompting questions over where the funding is coming from

Trump to repatriate two survivors of strike on alleged ‘drugs sub’ destroyed in Caribbean

Heir to Mango fashion empire investigated over billionaire father’s cliff fall death

Wrongfully imprisoned for more than 40 years, US man now faces deportation to India

2 survivors of suspected drug vessel will be sent to home countries, Trump says