In a bold move during the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump has taken to social media to declare his intentions to reshape the federal workforce, focusing on what he refers to as “Democrat agencies.”
On Thursday, Trump announced through a post on Truth Social that he would be meeting with budget director Russ Vought to discuss potential “temporary or permanent” spending cuts, setting a potentially contentious stage for Democratic lawmakers.
In his post, Trump expressed optimism about the situation, stating, “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
This declaration showcases Trump’s explicit endorsement of Project 2025, a controversial policy plan from the Heritage Foundation aimed at implementing right-wing reforms within the federal government. Although Trump had distanced himself from this plan during his campaign for re-election in 2024, his approach signals a renewed interest in its objectives.
Vought also made headlines earlier in the week by withholding $18 billion in funding for critical infrastructure projects, such as the Hudson River rail tunnel and the Second Avenue subway line in New York City, which are significant to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Further, he announced the cancellation of $8 billion in green energy initiatives in states represented by Democratic senators, a strategic move aimed at applying pressure on their political allies.
As the shutdown enters its second day, the White House has signaled a shift from traditional furlough practices, preparing for what could be mass firings of federal employees. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that layoffs were “imminent” and warned Democrats that they could prevent further harm to their constituents by reopening the government.
Current estimates indicate that up to 750,000 federal employees may face being sent home without pay due to the prolonged shutdown, which threatens to escalate the situation further.
Leavitt suggested in a press conference that thousands of job cuts were likely, indicating the severity of the circumstances facing federal workers.
In response, Schumer and Jeffries dismissed Trump’s threats of mass firings, labeling them as intimidation tactics that would not be legally upheld in court. Jeffries stated, “These are all things that the Trump administration has been doing since January 20th. The cruelty is the point.”
The Senate was not scheduled for votes on Thursday due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, but additional sessions are planned for Friday and subsequent days until the impasse is resolved.
To move forward, the Senate will require five additional Democratic votes to achieve the 60-vote threshold needed to pass a bill previously approved by the House in September.
Reports suggest that should the Democrats block the Republican reopening plan once more, Senate Republicans might choose to send their members home after the vote, likely ensuring the government shutdown extends into the following week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose members have been absent all week, urged Senate leaders to remain focused on the initial plan to work through the weekend in Washington.
In his remarks, Johnson affirmed that the House would reconvene next week, expressing hope that they would receive a new proposal to consider.
He pointed blame at Democrats, asserting they have effectively ceded legislative control to the president, a dynamic he finds troubling.
Democrats, on their part, are standing firm in their demands related to healthcare funding, refusing to support any legislation that does not address their priorities, emphasizing the potential rise in healthcare costs for millions of Americans if their requirements are ignored.
As the deadlock continues, there is no immediate resolution in sight, with risks increasing that the standoff may persist into October. By that time, federal employees who remain on the job could start missing paychecks, further amplifying frustrations.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that approximately 750,000 federal workers would be furloughed each day during a shutdown, leading to an estimated loss of $400 million daily in wages.
Such a prolonged stoppage could also have significant ripple effects on the broader U.S. economy. Historical data from past shutdowns indicates a “reduced aggregate demand in the private sector for goods and services, pushing down GDP,” according to the CBO.
Stalling federal spending can lead to diminished private-sector income, further minimizing demand across various economic sectors.
As concerns mount over the shutdown’s potential impact on economic growth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned during a CNBC interview that halting government operations is not a viable means of advocating for productive discussions, emphasizing that it ultimately lowers GDP.
image source from：aljazeera
