During a recent call among Republicans, officials from the Trump administration indicated that layoffs of federal employees could start within “a day or two” following the government’s shutdown.
Russ Vought, who leads the Office of Management and Budget, mentioned this in a private conversation, as noted by sources who participated in the call. He expressed concerns about the layoffs being a direct consequence of the government closure.
“I believe the layoffs are imminent. Unfortunately, they are the result of this government closure.”
Vought warned that ongoing shutdown could jeopardize payments for military personnel and affect funding for WIC, which is a program for low-income mothers and children. He also pointed out that billions are pending review for infrastructure projects in New York.
One source remarked that Vought’s commentary was notably unclear.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed in a press briefing that layoffs were approaching.
“As Democrats are shutting down the government, the President is directing the Cabinet, and agencies are collaborating with the Management and Budget Bureau to identify where cuts can be made,” Leavitt stated. “We believe that layoffs are imminent. This is regrettably a result of the government shutdown.”
Vice President JD Vance also attended the briefing and acknowledged the Democrats’ role.
“If they’re truly worried about the impacts on Americans, the simplest solution is to reopen the government,” Vance said. “We’re not the ones who caused this shutdown; that goes back to Chuck Schumer and the Democrats.”
Related: Vance makes Jeffries a comedic promise concerning the shutdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhrzy7dzdfy
The government officially shut down in the early hours of October 1st after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the budget resolution.
Democrats have criticized Republicans for the shutdown.
“October 1st marks the start of Donald Trump’s government shutdown,” Schumer stated on social media. “Trump and Republicans chose not to ensure American healthcare remains protected, which has led us to this point.”
