The U.S. plans to cut over 2,000 federal jobs and furlough thousands more amid a shutdown, with legal blocks and pay disputes raising concerns.

The U.S. Department of the Interior plans to eliminate over 2,000 federal jobs across several agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, as part of a restructuring effort during the ongoing government shutdown. The proposed cuts, which affect union and non-union positions, have been temporarily blocked by a federal judge amid legal challenges and concerns over worker protections. Meanwhile, the EPA has issued its largest wave of furloughs yet, affecting thousands of employees across enforcement, environmental oversight, and support roles, as dwindling funds disrupt critical operations. The administration maintains that furloughed workers are not guaranteed back pay, reversing prior guidance and sparking concern among federal employees and unions.