President Donald Trump shifted blame to Democrats regarding the recent government shutdown, a situation projected to affect hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Speaking to reporters just before boarding Marine One, Trump emphasized that Democrats, by opposing the funding bill, played a key role in triggering the shutdown. “It’s up to them,” he said, referring to the lawmakers who voted against measures aimed at maintaining government operations.
The shutdown, which commenced at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, has compelled agencies to furlough non-essential personnel. Although the layoffs, under normal circumstances, are temporary and employees typically return to their roles with back pay once Congress resolves budget disputes, the Trump administration has warned this scenario may not unfold as it has in the past. Some furloughed workers may not return, which could exacerbate the vulnerabilities of an already fragile job market.
Washington, D.C., home to a large federal workforce, is bracing for the fallout of these layoffs. This situation is compounded by earlier recommendations from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisory board, which signaled a push for reductions in staff. During a press conference, Trump responded to queries regarding the potential number of layoffs, stating, “We may do a lot,” signaling the seriousness of the ongoing standoff with Congress.
Complicating matters further, the administration is poised to oversee what could become the largest federal employee resignation in U.S. history, with more than 100,000 workers set to part ways with the government under a deferred resignation program. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett shared insights on CNN’s “State of the Union,” noting that layoffs could commence if the president decides that the negotiations are absolutely going nowhere. He expressed hope that Democrats might come to the table with “common sense” to avoid such drastic layoffs.
Hassett also indicated that if Democrats are “reasonable,” there could be a path forward to mitigate the shutdown’s impacts. However, the atmosphere suggests that the negotiations ahead will be contentious, with pressure mounting on both sides.
The ripple effects of this government shutdown are likely to resonate through various sectors, with federal employees caught in the crosshairs. Traditional pathways to resolution seem obscured by political friction, and the urgency now falls upon a fragile labor market that could face long-lasting repercussions.
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