WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Democratic lawmakers from Virginia and Maryland accused the Trump administration of illegally firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, warning of legal consequences if the dismissals continue. At a heated news conference outside the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on October 14, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) joined a group of senators and representatives to condemn what they called “illegal mass layoffs” of federal workers.

“When you attack federal workers and contractors, you hurt every single American,” Subramanyam said. “If you continue to fire federal workers during a shutdown, we will see you in court.”

Subramanyam, whose district includes thousands of federal employees, accused Republican leaders of hypocrisy. He said they claim to support public servants and veterans while allowing mass layoffs and disrupting key benefits.

“Actions speak louder than words,” Subramanyam said. “They say they care about veterans, parents, and children, yet they attack programs that serve them and fire the people who keep them running.”

Senators Chris Van Hollen and Mark Warner, along with Reps. Steny Hoyer, Don Beyer, Jamie Raskin, and Glenn Ivey joined Subramanyam in the criticism. They emphasized the urgent need to reopen the government and address healthcare costs affecting Virginians. The White House expressed support for continuing layoffs as the shutdown entered its third week. More than 4,000 federal employees were laid off last Friday, and the administration indicated additional reductions would occur if the shutdown persists.

OMB stated that it is “making every preparation to batten down the hatches and ride out the Democrats’ intransigence,” encouraging ongoing reductions in force while funding certain programs.

President Trump said he would eliminate specific federal programs supported by Democrats. “We’re not going to let them come back,” he said, linking the shutdown to his administration’s actions. However, lawmakers argued there is no legal requirement to fire employees during a shutdown. Historically, agencies furlough workers temporarily and reinstate them once the government reopens.

Democratic lawmakers held a press conference with current and former federal employees to denounce the layoffs. They said the cuts would not change their legislative approach. Senate Democrats have blocked a temporary funding bill over expiring healthcare subsidies and funding disputes with the Trump administration.

Sen. Van Hollen called the administration’s explanation for layoffs “a big lie” and emphasized that the actions are illegal. A federal court in California is scheduled to hear a case on Wednesday, requested by unions and advocacy groups seeking to block the layoffs.

Rob Shriver, former head of the Office of Personnel Management under President Biden, now at Democracy Forward, said the group will continue fighting the layoffs. “We’ll fight them tomorrow. We’ll fight them next week. We’ll fight them two months from now, two years from now, as long as it takes,” Shriver said. Lawmakers also vowed to challenge any attempts to withhold back pay for furloughed employees, which Trump has suggested despite a 2019 law guaranteeing retroactive compensation.

Sen. Mark Warner said Democrats want a reopening deal that prevents the administration from arbitrarily withholding funds. “Russ Vought at the OMB cannot pick and choose which federal programs to fund after Congress and the President have come together,” he said.

Federal employees in attendance displayed signs quoting OMB Director Vought’s comments about putting workers “in trauma.” They cheered the lawmakers’ commitment to continue the fight, expressing willingness to endure personal financial losses to protect government programs.

Sara Hargrave, a furloughed National Institutes of Health employee, said she still supports the shutdown. “It doesn’t change my perspective on what needs to be in the spending bill,” she said. “We need healthcare. We need provisions that help defend democracy.”

Rep. Hoyer highlighted the lawmakers’ determination despite White House intimidation. “We don’t fear the reaper,” he said, referencing a video Trump posted. “We are going to keep fighting for Americans’ health care and for our federal workers.” The standoff underscores growing tensions as lawmakers and the administration clash over the legality and impact of shutdown-related layoffs, leaving thousands of federal employees uncertain about their pay and job security.