Trump Admin Uses Shutdown to Reshape Government, Threatens Mass Firings
The Trump administration is using the ongoing government shutdown to reshape the federal government, with plans to make 'irreversible' cuts to programs important to Democrats. White House officials are considering mass firings and layoffs, while also withholding infrastructure funds for New York projects, home to many Democratic leaders.
The administration, led by OMB Director Russ Vought, is challenging Congress' authority by attempting to rescind already approved funds. Vought, praised by President Trump for his budget-cutting abilities, is at the forefront of these actions. The Supreme Court has allowed some of these actions to stand.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has warned of imminent layoffs during the shutdown. While no exact number of expected firings has been specified, hundreds of federal employees have already been affected. Some agencies, like the General Services Administration and the IRS, have implemented or reversed large-scale dismissals, with employees later rehired after months of paid leave.
The shutdown, which could last into October, is affecting federal workers' paychecks and having economic spillovers. Democrats are refusing to back a bill that fails to preserve health care funding, warning of potential premium spikes for millions of Americans. President Trump is using the breaking news of the shutdown to reshape the federal workforce and punish political opponents.
The Trump administration's actions during the shutdown, including potential mass firings and withholding of infrastructure funds, are causing concern among Democrats and federal workers. The long-term effects of these 'irreversible' cuts and the ongoing shutdown remain to be seen.
Read also:
- Trump's Policy Shifts Spark Controversy, Pauses Infrastructure Funding
- Germany's Steel Industry Hopes for EU Nod on Subsidized Electricity Prices
- Vancouver Canucks' family member claims a 'plot' to disown him unjustly
- Trump urged to abandon one-sided trade restrictions during a 'productive' conversation with Xi about the TikTok issue
