White House Warns of Federal Layoffs as Government Shutdown Stretches Into Fifth Day
- Rahaman Hadisur
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
The Trump administration signaled Sunday that mass layoffs of federal workers could begin if negotiations with congressional Democrats to end a partial government shutdown continue to stall.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNN’s State of the Union that while officials still hope for a deal, preparations are underway should talks collapse. “President Trump and Russ Vought are lining things up and getting ready to act if they have to, but hoping that they don’t,” Hassett said, referring to the budget director.
Later, President Donald Trump suggested layoffs had already begun, telling reporters: “It’s taking place right now.” The Office of Management and Budget, central to Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, declined immediate comment.
The shutdown, now in its fifth day, began October 1 after Senate Democrats rejected a short-term measure to keep agencies funded through November 21. Democrats are demanding a permanent extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and assurances against unilateral White House spending cuts.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday that progress can only come through direct talks with Trump. “They’ve refused to talk with us,” Schumer said on CBS’s Face the Nation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune countered that Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before policy discussions can continue. “It’s open up the government or else,” he told Fox News.
Both chambers are scheduled to vote Monday on competing stopgap funding bills, though neither is expected to secure the 60 Senate votes needed. Republicans hold a 53–47 majority but have seen only three Democrats break ranks so far, leaving at least five more needed to advance the House bill.
Meanwhile, informal bipartisan talks are ongoing, but lawmakers acknowledged little progress has been made toward a resolution.
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