White House says thousands of federal workers could be laid off, blames Democrats for not voting to keep government open | World News - The Indian Express skip to contentAdvertisementTrump has used the government shutdown to increase the political pressure on Democratic lawmakers, saying agencies tasked with environmental protection, racial equity and addressing poverty, among other things, could be gutted due to a funding crunch.By: Express Web Desk October 3, 2025 01:24 AM IST First published on: Oct 3, 2025 at 01:24 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. (Photo: AP)As the US government shutdown entered its second day, uncertainty is looming for thousands of federal employees who are facing being furloughed or laid off.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that the White House is looking at laying off “thousands” of federal workers. Terming the layoffs unfortunate, Leavitt said it would “not be happening if the Democrats had voted to keep the government open.”‘Democrats playing politics’Leavitt further argued that Democrats were playing politics with the shutdown, and there is “zero good reason”.“They are doing it for political reasons. They are doing it because they want to give taxpayer-funded health care benefits to illegal aliens, which is something that American people resoundingly rejected ahead of the election last year,” she said.Trump to meet Russell VoughtTrump will meet Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought later Thursday, where the two are expected to discuss federal job cuts while maintaining “critical funding.”The US. Capitol is photographed, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)Trump announced the meeting on social media Thursday morning, saying he and Vought would determine “which of the many Democrat Agencies” would be cut — continuing their efforts to slash federal spending by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to Democratic priorities.“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”Trump using shutdown to target ‘Democrat agencies’Trump has used the government shutdown to increase the political pressure on Democratic lawmakers, saying agencies tasked with environmental protection, racial equity and addressing poverty, among other things, could be gutted due to a funding crunch.Most ReadHouse Speaker Mike Johnson underscored Thursday that the shutdown gives Trump and Vought vast power over the federal government. He blamed Democrats and said “they have effectively turned off the legislative branch” and “handed it over to the president.”White House is looking at laying off “thousands” of federal workers. (Photo: AP)“When Congress turns off the funding, and the funding runs out, it is up to the commander-in-chief, the president of the United States, to determine how those resources will be spent,” Johnson said. Still, Johnson said that Trump and Vought take “no pleasure in this.”Trump and the congressional leaders are not expected to meet again soon. The House is set to resume session next week and Democrats are holding fast to their demands to preserve health care funding and refusing to back a bill that fails to do so, warning of price spikes for millions of Americans nationwide.AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...SubscribeSign InJournalism of CourageTop CategoriesLATEST STORIESTrump declares Caribbean drug cartels unlawful combatants: Here is what it meansZubeen Garg death case: 2 musicians who were ‘with him on yacht’ arrestedWomen’s World Cup 2025: Akter trio, Rubya Haider shine to give Bangladesh winning start against PakistanGujarat BJP to get a new chief by October 4, nomination-filing process to take place tomorrowSetback for Kilmar Abrego Garcia as judge denies bid for asylumTaliban’s foreign minister to visit India next weekWhat happens next as US shutdown enters Day 2? All you need to knowMissing since Sept 10 from Badarpur, two brothers, 15 and 9, found at Golden Temple‘Not happy to play if…’: R Ashwin reacts to going unsold at ILT20 auction‘Grim reminder of evil forces of terrorism’: India condemns Manchester terror attackSelf-styled godman’s 3 women aides who ‘pressured’ students arrested: policeIndia’s top 10 richest women entrepreneurs: Jayshree Ullal at #1 with Rs 50,170 crore wealthKumkum remains the safest and most traditional option: Dermatologist warns about ‘bindi leukoderma’ caused by toxic adhesivesAnother inmate re-arrested after 6 escape from Tripura jail; 5 officers suspendedTop 10 cities where India’s wealthiest choose to live. Mumbai ranks 1Jasprit Bumrah topples fresh record as India dominate West Indies on Day 1 of first Test