Thousands of Jobs at Risk
The White House signaled Thursday that the federal government could soon begin laying off thousands of employees if the ongoing government shutdown drags on. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters outside the White House that administration officials are already preparing contingency plans with the Office of Management and Budget.
“Look, it’s likely going to be in the thousands,” Leavitt said, adding that the discussions were necessary only because Democrats blocked funding measures that would have kept the government open. She argued that the standoff was unnecessary and politically motivated.
Partisan Clash Over Blame
Leavitt accused Democrats of deliberately prolonging the shutdown to push for expanded health care subsidies, including coverage for undocumented immigrants, a position she said voters rejected in last year’s election. “They are doing it for political reasons,” she said, claiming there is “zero good reason” for Democrats to obstruct the process.
The partial shutdown began Wednesday after lawmakers failed to pass a funding bill before the deadline. With Democrats and Republicans at an impasse, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are already facing furloughs, while those deemed essential must continue working without pay until Congress resolves the standoff.
Trump Weighs Agency Cuts
President Donald Trump echoed Leavitt’s remarks, placing the blame squarely on Democrats. He announced he will meet with OMB Director Russell Vought to determine which federal agencies should face cuts, calling many of them a “political scam.”
Trump suggested that the shutdown gave him an opportunity to make sweeping changes to federal operations. “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” he wrote on social media. “They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to quietly and quickly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Uncertain Road Ahead
The Trump administration has not clarified whether potential cuts would be temporary or permanent, but Vought has been tasked with recommending options. Senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have previously warned that large-scale layoffs could follow within days if no agreement is reached.
For now, the shutdown continues into its second day, with both parties trading blame while federal employees brace for uncertainty. Whether the looming layoffs materialize depends on how quickly lawmakers can strike a deal to restore funding.
