US EditionTrump Budget Chief Says Firings Are Coming in 'One to Two' Days Due to Shutdown
OMB Director Russell Vought announced firings starting within two days amid a shutdown caused by funding lapses, threatening programs like WIC and potentially affecting thousands of federal workers.
- At 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1, the US government ceased operations after lawmakers in Congress were unable to approve a funding measure to maintain agency functions.
- The shutdown followed bipartisan deadlock despite dueling Democratic and Republican proposals and a warning memo from OMB Director Russell Vought about mass firings.
- Vought said federal agencies must consider reductions in force for employees on projects without funding starting October 1, potentially halting scientific research and closing programs.
- President Trump said on September 30, “So, we'd be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected,” reflecting anticipated workforce cuts during the shutdown.
- The shutdown threatens to disrupt US science with suspended research, loss of institutional knowledge, and uncertain duration impacts, while workers face layoffs and urges to return.
43 Articles
43 Articles
PBS NewsHour
UpstractTrump threatens mass firings as shutdown continues with no signs of potential deal
There were no signs of progress between lawmakers on Thursday. That ensures the government will remain shut down for another day as Democrats dig in on protections to health care. President Trump is also digging in and warning of far-reaching consequences. He even invoked the name of Project 2025, a policy blueprint he distanced himself from on the campaign trail. Liz Landers reports.
Shutdown as leverage: How President Trump is using the government closure to fire and punish
President Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors, by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to programs important to Democrats.
Federal Firings Becoming More Likely As Federal Shutdown Continues
Photo: Andrew Mullin ~ 760 WJR WASHINGTON D.C., Oct. 2, 2025 ~ Mass federal firings are becoming more likely amid the ongoing federal government shutdown following President Donald Trump saying that the shutdown has given him an “unprecedented opportunity” to make widespread cuts. Trump made the comments in a Truth Social post, saying that he will meet with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to “determine which of the many …
Furloughed federal worker speaks out amid shutdown: 'We've already lost more than we can afford'
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told House Republicans that the Trump administration will start firing federal employees in the next “one to two” days, according to two GOP sources on the conference call. That's in addition to the hundreds of thousands of government workers who are typically furloughed during a shutdown. Air Force veteran Ariana Kelly, who was furloughed, joins Ana Cabrera to share more on the challenges …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
