President Donald Trump is using the government shutdown to push for sweeping reductions across federal agencies. On Thursday, day two of the shutdown, the administration confirmed it is weighing mass layoffs and program eliminations. The tone from the White House is direct: agencies seen as misaligned with the administration’s priorities could face cuts that go beyond temporary furloughs. While federal workers brace for uncertainty, confusion is growing across departments about what services will continue and what will be dismantled.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said layoffs were “very real” and suggested the number could reach into the thousands. She did not specify roles or agencies at risk, nor clarify how dismissals would relieve immediate budget pressures during a funding lapse. The administration’s approach has raised new alarms among federal employees, legal experts, and lawmakers, who question both the strategy and its legality.
Trump said he is meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to identify agencies labeled “Democratic” or wasteful. In his statement, he called the shutdown an “unprecedented opportunity” to shrink government. References to “PROJECT 2025,” a conservative playbook crafted by Vought and allies calling for large-scale restructuring and dismissals, signal that this moment may be used to fast-track long-discussed plans.
Layoffs and Program Cuts Under Review
Leavitt, speaking with Fox News, described the likelihood of layoffs as high. She said agencies deemed misaligned with the administration’s values would be targeted. However, she did not outline clear financial reasoning for eliminating staff who are already unpaid during the shutdown. Reporters pressed for details on cost savings, but no figures or calculations were provided. Cuts could extend beyond furloughs into permanent workforce reductions, but agency leaders have not publicly confirmed which programs are eligible.
Departments across government are awaiting direction. Without appropriations, most offices are operating with skeleton staffing or fully paused. In prior shutdowns, furloughs were temporary, and agencies recalled employees once funding resumed. This time, the administration is signaling it may not restore full operations, leaving agencies unsure of how to plan or communicate with the public.
Political Messaging Orders Trigger Backlash
An ABC News review found that some federal employees were encouraged—or automatically assigned—out-of-office email replies blaming “Democrat Senators” for the shutdown. At the Department of Labor, a template message was circulated that attributed the lapse in appropriations to Democratic obstruction. Staff at the Department of Education said similar messages were set without their knowledge after work hours.
Federal employees raised immediate concerns about potential Hatch Act violations. The law bars them from engaging in political messaging while performing official duties. Several staff members reported discomfort with the directive and questioned its legality. Legal observers note that, during a shutdown, communications tied to official agency accounts remain subject to federal ethics rules.
Public Opinion Tilts Against Trump and GOP
A Washington Post poll conducted on October 1 found that 47% of Americans blame Trump and congressional Republicans for the shutdown. Thirty percent attributed responsibility to Democrats, while 23% remained unsure. Respondents who faulted Republicans cited the party’s refusal to compromise and its control of both Congress and the presidency. The survey included 1,010 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Political analysts say the administration’s communications strategy may be intended to counter public perception. However, forcing employees to adopt partisan statements could deepen scrutiny and expose agencies to further legal challenges or public criticism.
Shutdown Stalemate in Congress
The shutdown stems from a standoff between House and Senate Republicans and Democrats over spending priorities and health care-related language. Republicans have accused Democrats of obstructing must-pass appropriations bills. Democrats insist that Republicans have declined to negotiate in good faith. The Senate is expected to reconvene Friday for another attempt to bridge differences, but neither side has announced progress.
Key appropriations measures remain stalled. Without agreement, agencies have no legal authority to operate beyond core functions. Typically, funding gaps end once Congress reaches a temporary or long-term deal. This shutdown, however, is being treated by the administration as a catalyst for structural change rather than a pause in services.
Trump and Vought Set Strategy for Cuts
Trump’s scheduled meeting with OMB Director Russ Vought is drawing intense scrutiny. In a social media post, the president said he would review which “Democrat Agencies” Vought recommends cutting, either temporarily or permanently. Mention of “PROJECT 2025” has fueled speculation that proposals developed for a potential second term are now being actively implemented.
PROJECT 2025 outlines strategies for reducing the federal workforce, reorganizing agencies, and weakening civil service protections. Critics warn that implementing those ideas during a shutdown exploits a moment when agency staff lack protections and the public is distracted. Supporters of the plan argue that it streamlines government and eliminates redundancy.
Vought has not released a list of agencies or divisions under review. Staff within departments say they are receiving little to no guidance and are uncertain whether to prepare for temporary disruption or permanent dismissal.
Concerns Across the Federal Workforce
Federal employees already on furlough are facing immediate income loss, with no assurance of back pay. If positions are eliminated rather than paused, workers could lose not only salaries but also long-term career stability and benefits. Union leaders and employment attorneys warn that layoffs during a shutdown could bypass standard procedures that protect federal workers.
Some agencies reported confusion over whether they must continue essential services if staff are let go. While core safety and security operations remain active, other functions like permitting, research, and public services are frozen or winding down. Agencies with significant public contact, such as the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, have reported communication challenges with customers and partner organizations.
Accountability and Ethical Questions
Neither the White House nor OMB has explained how firing unpaid workers addresses immediate fiscal concerns. Budget experts say layoffs do not generate instant savings during a shutdown because agencies have already planned for reduced spending until appropriations resume. In addition, terminating staff requires legal processes and may trigger payout costs.
Ethics advisors also note that ordering or encouraging partisan language in official communications can erode public trust. Automating messages that blame one political party exposes departments to potential investigations and could undermine future enforcement of nonpartisan standards.
Legal and Administrative Hurdles
Implementing mass terminations would likely require compliance with civil service rules, union contracts, and statutory guidelines. It is unclear whether agencies can proceed without congressional approval or whether actions taken during a shutdown could be challenged in court. Previous large-scale federal reorganizations have required months of planning, impact assessments, and public notices.
Legal analysts say the administration could face lawsuits if employees are dismissed without due process. A chaotic or rushed process might also risk errors in notifying affected staff, calculating benefits, and managing appeals. Agencies could end up spending time and resources defending actions instead of advancing policy goals.
Lawmakers and Stakeholders React
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are expressing concern. Democrats accuse the administration of politicizing the shutdown to advance ideological plans. Some Republicans are uneasy about the prospect of deep cuts that affect constituents who rely on federal services. Senators and representatives have asked for clarity on which programs could be eliminated.
State governments, nonprofits, and contractors tied to federal funding are also monitoring developments. Many rely on stable agency operations to deliver services, administer grants, and manage local projects. Interruptions could delay infrastructure work, public health programs, disaster relief, and research funding.
Workers Face Anxiety and Limited Options
Federal employees contacted by news outlets describe rising stress and confusion. With no timeline for when funding might return, many worry about paying bills, securing medical coverage, and supporting families. If terminations move forward, unemployment procedures and severance compensation could take time to process.
Some departments advised employees to seek alternative income or temporary support. Others have said little, leaving employees to navigate uncertainty on their own. The absence of firm direction from leadership has made planning difficult. Workers in regions with high concentrations of federal jobs could face local economic strain if layoffs become permanent.
Communication Breakdowns Inside Agencies
Leadership at multiple departments has been tight-lipped on internal calls. Meetings have focused on immediate shutdown procedures rather than long-term direction. Some managers privately acknowledge they lack information. Others are preparing contingency plans without formal approval.
Employees say morale is deteriorating. Unanswered questions about ethical messaging, job security, and the legal scope of cuts are fueling distrust. In previous shutdowns, agencies made commitments to support staff once the crisis ended. This time, those assurances are absent.
Polling Shows Broader Public Concern
The Washington Post poll shows a notable share of Americans want elected officials to compromise. The data suggest that public patience is limited, especially if the shutdown begins harming essential services or the economy. Businesses that contract with federal agencies, seasonal tourism groups, and local governments near large federal workplaces are among those watching closely.
In addition to the poll, anecdotal reporting from across the country reflects worry among taxpayers about delays in services. Some fear that permanent cuts could affect Social Security processing, food assistance programs, transportation safety inspections, and passport issuance.
Upcoming Senate Session and Funding Outlook
The Senate is set to reconvene Friday with no confirmed agreement between parties. Lawmakers may consider short-term funding measures, but positions remain hardened. House leaders have not signaled a new proposal that could bridge party demands or address Trump’s push for structural cuts.
If the shutdown continues, agencies may run out of flexibility to maintain even limited operations. Backlogs in administrative tasks, contractor payments, and compliance monitoring could grow. The absence of guidance from the administration on restoration plans complicates recovery efforts once appropriations return.
What Comes Next
Observers expect legal challenges if agencies move to eliminate jobs during the shutdown. Federal unions and advocacy groups are already preparing to contest any directive that bypasses due process or appears politically motivated. Watchdog organizations may also review the use of partisan language in official messages.
Critics of PROJECT 2025 warn that using a shutdown as a vehicle to shrink government could damage institutions that provide services millions of people depend on. Advocates for smaller government argue the moment offers an overdue chance to reevaluate federal scope and spending.
Until clarity emerges from the White House or Congress, the risk of disruption remains high. Federal workers, taxpayers, and partner organizations are preparing for outcomes that could shape government operations long after the shutdown ends.
