The Trump administration forged ahead with plans to conduct mass layoffs, as the fiscal standoff appeared to intensify.

The moves by the White House appeared both unprecedented and punitive, underscoring the risks of a fiscal stalemate that had no end in sight. It also evinced how President Trump might try to leverage the government-wide closure to achieve his agenda, slash the budget and exact revenge on his political enemies.

By Wednesday, those cuts appeared imminent. Speaking privately with House Republicans, Mr. Vought said the firings, known as a reduction in force, could go into effect in the next day or two, according to a member on the call. He said at the time that it could include another round of mass layoffs targeting “a lot” of government workers.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, maintained instead that the layoffs, in particular, were necessary because of the realities of the budget. “There are unfortunate consequences to a government shutdown,”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/us/politics/white-house-shutdown-punishment.html?

AND

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent. I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115304455138824245