A senior government official confirmed that layoffs are being prepared in case the Democrats continue to keep the government shut down
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also confirmed during a press conference on Wednesday that layoffs are coming. "Unfortunately, because Democrats shut down the government, the president has instructed his cabinet, and OMB is working with all agencies to identify where cuts can be made."
Vice President JD Vance also participated in the press conference and endorsed Leavitt's statements. "If they're so concerned about the effect this is having on the American people—as they should be—what they should do is reopen the government," Vance said, referring to the Democratic obstruction.
The federal government ceased operations at midnight on October 1, after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a budget resolution for the new fiscal year. In the Senate, 7 opposition senators are needed to join the Republican caucus to pass the new budget, which must then be ratified by the House of Representatives.
The Democratic Party had already used this tactic during Trump's first administration in 2018, in a shutdown that lasted 35 days. Once again, with the Republican leader returning to the White House this year, the jobs of thousands of people and social assistance are at stake due to a whim of the opposition.
A senior official in President Donald Trump's administration stated in a call with Republican lawmakers that mass layoffs of public employees would begin "in one or two days" following the government shutdown caused by Democratic lawmakers.
Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), made these comments in a private call. "We believe layoffs are imminent. Unfortunately, they are a consequence of this government shutdown," Vought said.
Vought also warned that if the shutdown caused by the opposition is prolonged, active duty military members' pay could be affected, as well as funds allocated to an assistance program for low-income mothers and children. He also said that a multi-billion dollar allocation for infrastructure in New York is at risk.
