Post by : Rameen Ariff

The US government shutdown continues into its third week, with the White House revealing plans to lay off at least 10,000 federal employees. This drastic decision is part of an ongoing strategy to compel Democrats to negotiate on federal spending, amid a congressional deadlock.

Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, spoke on the Charlie Kirk show, suggesting that the layoffs could surpass 10,000 as the administration pushes to streamline federal operations. “We aim to take a bold stance in reducing the bureaucracy,” he stated.

Recent court filings from the Department of Justice divulged that over 4,000 staff members were terminated just last Friday, particularly affecting the Treasury, and the Health, Education, and Housing departments. Vought described these figures as merely a “snapshot” of pending layoffs, hinting that additional cuts could follow soon.

The administration defends these layoffs as a direct consequence of the Democrats’ refusal to support a resolution passed by the House that would fund government activities through late November. President Trump warns that inaction could lead to widespread layoffs, particularly among workers viewed as supporters of the opposing party, inflaming tensions within Washington.

Meanwhile, as the shutdown drags on, anxieties are mounting regarding the US military's welfare, with service members facing the possibility of missing paychecks for the first time in decades. Although President Trump has promised that military personnel will receive their salaries, the uncertainty has resulted in long waits at food banks for many service members, revealing the raw impact of the deadlock.

This ongoing shutdown has severely affected government services across the nation, leaving federal employees in a state of uncertainty regarding job security and finances. Analysts highlight that this standoff underscores the profound partisan rifts in Washington and risks affecting millions of Americans if a resolution is not achieved.

As the shutdown extends into its third week, the White House’s assertive strategy toward layoffs illustrates the escalating stakes in the battle over government funding. The next few days will be crucial in determining if federal services can resume and how rapidly those impacted can return to work.

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