Government Shutdown Deepens: White House Warns of Mass Layoffs, Trump Advocates for Cuts

The ongoing US government shutdown has prompted the White House to issue a warning about potential mass layoffs of federal employees. The shutdown, which began after lawmakers missed a funding deadline, has caused widespread disruptions across various governmental agencies. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that the administration is actively preparing for layoffs, with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) involved in assessing the impact on different departments. Leavitt blamed Democrats for the current impasse, criticizing their stance on funding and disagreements over healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants. Former President Donald Trump is slated to meet with OMB Director Russell Vought to deliberate on agency-specific budget cuts and their duration, labeling the situation an opportunity to advance his ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda.