White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed Thursday that thousands of federal workers face potential layoffs as the government shutdown enters its second day. Leavitt stated the Office of Budget and Management is “unfortunately” working on trimming the workforce, though she did not specify exact numbers. “It’s likely going to be in the thousands,” she said, blaming Democrats for the crisis.
President Donald Trump amplified his criticism of congressional Democrats, accusing them of using the shutdown as an opportunity to “clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud.” He praised his own policies, claiming they prevented taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits from being extended to “illegal aliens” under former President Joe Biden. Trump also posted on Truth Social that he had met with OMB Director Russ Vought to evaluate which federal agencies should be cut, calling many Democrat-led entities “a political SCAM.”
The standoff centers on competing continuing resolution bills. A Republican-backed measure passed the House but faces Senate opposition, while Democrats proposed an alternative CR tied to reinstating Medicaid funding for non-citizens and other priorities. Leavitt condemned the Democratic plan, asserting it would waste billions. Meanwhile, the White House announced $18 billion in infrastructure project withholdings targeting New York City, home to prominent Democrat leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffreys and Senator Chuck Schumer.
Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reiterated that there is “nothing to negotiate” in the GOP bill, as the Senate prepares a critical vote Friday. Leavitt also accused Democrats of hypocrisy, citing their repeated support for policies benefiting non-citizens despite claiming to prioritize American interests.
