How the shutdown is hitting federal workers and services across the US

The Trump administration in the US followed through on its threat to cut jobs during the shutdown, notifying more than 4,000 employees across seven agencies. The hardest hit include US Treasury, Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Energy and Homeland Security. Lawsuits from federal unions are already challenging the legality of the firings, a first in shutdown history, the New York Times reported.

Furloughs disrupt daily operations

Alongside layoffs, more than 600,000 employees are furloughed nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency sidelined nearly 89 percent of its workforce, halting new permits and most research. The Education Department furloughed 87 percent of staff, slowing grant programmes and civil rights investigations. Even cr