Trump administration says 4,108 workers have been laid off since the start of the government shutdown

(Patria) - The number of layoffs of U.S. federal workers as a result of the government shutdown has decreased, suggesting that the administration's initial statement about comprehensive job cuts was too ambitious, Reuters reported.

The administration of President Donald Trump has laid off 4,108 employees since October 1, the first day of the U.S. government shutdown, according to a statement filed in court on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of Justice last week estimated in a separate court filing that the figure was at least 4,278.

The reduction in the number of employees represents only a portion of the U.S. government workforce. U.S. agencies employed about two million civilians at the start of the Trump administration.

Trump blamed the reduction in the number of employees for the U.S. government shutdown. The government was shut down because Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a spending plan for federal agencies.

Since 1981, there have been fifteen federal government shutdowns, and hundreds of thousands of workers have been laid off. No president has attempted to use a shutdown as a basis for large-scale layoffs.

The layoffs are expected to disrupt government operations, including investigations into disease outbreaks and college preparation.

Federal worker unions are suing to overturn the layoffs. The law prohibits U.S. agencies from performing functions without approved funding from Congress. There are certain exceptions, including those for national security needs and essential services to protect life and property.

Unions said that carrying out layoffs is not an essential service that can be performed during a government shutdown. The shutdown does not justify mass job cuts because most federal workers have been laid off without pay, they said.

A federal judge is expected to open the case today.