Trump Administration Prepares for Mass Federal Layoffs as Government Shutdown Deadline Approaches

United States:

The Trump administration has escalated tensions in the government funding dispute by issuing warnings about potential mass terminations if a shutdown occurs. On Thursday, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo indicating plans that would extend beyond the standard temporary furloughs seen in previous shutdowns.

With the September 30 fiscal deadline approaching, President Trump faces a significant political standoff with congressional Democrats over federal funding allocations. Democratic lawmakers have declined Republican spending proposals, insisting on reversals to certain spending reductions and extensions of existing healthcare subsidies.

When questioned about the potential layoffs of federal workers, Trump placed responsibility on Democrats, stating, "This is all caused by the Democrats. They asked us to do something that's totally unreasonable." He framed the issue around immigration concerns, claiming Democrats "want to give money away to illegals, people that entered our country illegally."

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded forcefully to the layoff threats, telling the White House to "get lost" and characterizing OMB chief Russ Vought as a "malignant political hack." On social media platform X, Jeffries added, "We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings."

A government shutdown would halt non-essential operations and leave hundreds of thousands of civil servants temporarily without compensation. However, the White House memo obtained by AFP revealed more severe measures, directing agencies to "use this opportunity to consider Reduction in Force (RIF) notices for all employees" in affected government sectors.

The terminology "reduction in force" mirrors language used during the Trump administration's significant personnel reductions earlier this year, implemented under Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The memo further instructed agencies to submit their proposed staff reduction plans and inform employees accordingly.

The administration's memo attributed the situation to "insane demands" from Democrats, accusing them of disrupting what it described as a decade-long pattern of bipartisan agreements to avoid year-end shutdowns. These funding conflicts have become a recurring feature in American politics across both Republican and Democratic administrations as Washington grows increasingly polarized.

Last week, Senate Democrats rejected a temporary funding bill hastily approved by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives intended to prevent a shutdown. President Trump subsequently canceled a scheduled Tuesday meeting with Democratic congressional leaders, stating he would not meet until they "become realistic" with their demands.

Time for resolution is dwindling, with both chambers currently in recess and senators not returning until Monday—just one day before the deadline. While Republicans maintain narrow majorities in both congressional chambers, Senate procedural rules require some opposition support for passage.

House Republicans issued warnings Friday that their members would not reconvene before the funding deadline, essentially forcing the Senate to either accept their proposal or face a shutdown. Even if passed, this bill would only provide temporary funding for federal agencies through November 21.

Congress previously confronted a shutdown scenario in March when Republicans refused negotiations with Democrats regarding Trump's substantial budget cuts and the termination of thousands of federal employees.