With the government shutdown extending into its second day without resolution, President Donald Trump suggested potential widespread federal job cuts starting Thursday, highlighting an upcoming meeting with Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director and a staunch proponent of reducing the federal workforce.
Early Thursday, the President announced on social media that the discussion would focus on identifying “Democrat Agencies” for cuts. He stated that officials would also deliberate on “whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent.” Trump then remarked, “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity.”
These anticipated federal job reductions occur during a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats, with Democrats striving to prevent a surge in health insurance premiums in the near future by prolonging Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”) tax credits. Additionally, Democrats aim to undo Medicaid cuts enacted by Republicans in legislation passed earlier this summer and to restrict the Administration’s power to halt or revoke federal funding for foreign aid or public broadcasting.
Last week, the OMB issued a memo cautioning Congress about a potential “reduction in force” if Democrats did not approve the Republicans’ funding proposal. The specific agencies and number of employees impacted by these federal worker cuts remain uncertain, although Vought informed House Republicans on Wednesday that federal layoffs were imminent, “one to two” days away, he stated. Since Trump’s inauguration in January, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have either been laid off or accepted resignation offers.
Federal employee unions are taking proactive measures against the prospective layoffs. Earlier this week, the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration regarding the President’s plan for mass dismissals, asserting that these threats are “contrary to law.”
“The cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court,” the legal complaint, which was unveiled on Tuesday, asserts.
Within the initial 24 hours of the shutdown, the Trump Administration declared its intention to revoke billions in funding from certain states governed by Democrats. Vought disclosed plans on Wednesday to reduce $8 billion from energy projects spanning 16 states, such as California, Colorado, Illinois, and New York. He announced, “More info to come from [the] Energy [Department].” All these states had voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The OMB director further declared a halt to an $18 billion climate project in New York City, stating this was to “ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles.”
The President has cautioned Democrats that layoffs are not the only potential consequence. In an interview scheduled for Thursday, Trump conveyed, “There could be firings. And it could also be other things. I mean, we could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and they’d be permanently cut.”
In his social media update, Trump characterized Vought as being “of PROJECT 2025 Fame,” alluding to the initiative devised by the Heritage Foundation, which put forth recommendations to reduce federal government sectors via budget cuts and deregulation. Vought was one of several Trump associates who participated in drafting Project 2025. Although Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 during last year’s campaign, he has since embraced many of its proposals for his second term.
