White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is warning that federal agencies are preparing for mass layoffs if Democrats continue to block a stopgap spending bill and allow the government to shut down at the end of the month.
The warning came as Congress neared a Tuesday midnight deadline to avert a shutdown. While the Republican-led House approved a short-term continuing resolution last week, the measure has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats are demanding additional provisions.
“There will be layoffs if Democrats don’t keep the government open,” Leavitt said during the daily press briefing. “We are nearing a government shutdown; we are nearing a funding deadline. The president wants to make this deadline. He wants to keep this government open.”
Leavitt accused Democratic leaders of playing politics at the expense of federal workers and taxpayers.
“The president is giving Democrat leadership one last chance to be reasonable, to come to the White House today to try to talk about this, and now is not the time to try to get political points against Donald Trump,” she said.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulated internal guidance to agencies instructing them to prepare reduction-in-force (RIF) plans in case a shutdown takes effect on October 1.
According to the memo, employees working on programs not legally required to continue without appropriations should expect to receive both furlough and RIF notices.
“With respect to those federal programs whose funding would lapse and which are otherwise unfunded, such programs are no longer statutorily required to be carried out,” the guidance stated. “RIF notices should be issued to all employees tied to those programs.”
The memo also directed agencies to revise staffing levels once Congress approves appropriations for fiscal year 2026, retaining only employees necessary for core statutory functions.
In unusually sharp language, the guidance accused Democrats of derailing what has historically been a bipartisan process.
“While Congress has usually passed short-term funding bills on a bipartisan basis, Democrats this year are making insane demands, including $1 trillion in new spending,” the document said. “Those demands risk forcing a shutdown.”
At issue is the Senate’s refusal to advance the House-passed H.R. 5371, a “clean” continuing resolution that would extend current funding levels through November 21. The Trump administration has endorsed that measure, with Leavitt calling it a “commonsense” approach.
“All we are asking for is a commonsense, clean funding resolution to keep the government open,” Leavitt said. “The president supports enactment of a clean CR to ensure no discretionary spending lapse after Sept. 30, 2025, and OMB hopes the Democrats will agree.”
President Trump has already overseen significant workforce reductions during his current term through buyouts and targeted layoffs. Administration officials have touted those cuts as part of an effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy. A shutdown, however, could accelerate those efforts, particularly if Democrats refuse to accept a stopgap measure.
The dispute has been further complicated by Democratic demands for expanded health care access to illegal immigrants, a proposal Trump has flatly rejected amid his broader immigration crackdown. Since returning to office in January, Trump has presided over the deportation or voluntary departure of an estimated 2 million people.
Federal agencies have already begun implementing contingency plans. Non-essential employees are bracing for furloughs, while contractors face uncertainty about payments.
Markets are also watching closely; previous shutdowns have rattled investor confidence and disrupted federal services ranging from food safety inspections to passport processing.
Leavitt emphasized that the administration still hopes to avoid disruption.
“We remain hopeful that Democrats in Congress will not trigger a shutdown and the steps outlined above will not be necessary,” she said. “But federal agencies must prepare for all outcomes.”
With just hours before the deadline, the standoff remains unresolved — and the jobs of tens of thousands of federal employees hang in the balance.
Several House Republicans joined Democrats in voting down a measure to censure Rep. LaMonica McIver after being charged by the Justice Department for her role in a chaotic May altercation outside an immigration detention center.
In a striking turn of events, Hollywood icon Harrison Ford has publicly rebuked former President Donald Trump, delivering a scathing critique of his environmental policies and leadership style. In an interview with The Guardian, Ford didn’t hold back, calling Trump’s approach to climate change “criminal” and highlighting the urgent need for political accountability in the face of environmental degradation. This confrontation not only underscores the growing discontent among prominent figures regarding Trump’s policies but also emphasizes the critical state of the American economy and the ongoing challenges faced by everyday citizens.
As the government shutdown enters its 29th day, many families are feeling the pinch, struggling to make ends meet. One mother’s poignant story illustrates the harsh realities faced by Americans during this crisis. With funds running low, she found herself pulling from her retirement savings just to afford Halloween costumes for her children. “I can’t get the $30 costume y’all are wanting right now because it’s not feasible,” she lamented, reflecting the broader economic struggles that many families are experiencing under Trump’s administration.
.
.
.
The situation is exacerbated by rising health insurance premiums and chaotic tariffs that have driven up prices for everyday goods. While millions of Americans are left grappling with financial uncertainty, Trump’s administration has seemingly prioritized foreign interests over domestic welfare, as evidenced by the recent decision to send $20 billion to Argentina. Critics argue that this bailout, labeled “mission critical” by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, serves hedge fund interests rather than addressing the pressing needs of American families.
Amidst this backdrop of economic distress, Harrison Ford’s comments resonate deeply. In his interview, Ford criticized Trump’s lack of coherent policies, stating, “Trump doesn’t have any policies. He has whims.” This characterization paints a troubling picture of a leader more concerned with personal interests than the well-being of the planet. Ford’s remarks reflect a growing frustration among those who believe that Trump’s administration has consistently undermined efforts to combat climate change.
Ford further asserted, “He knows better, but he’s an instrument of the status quo, and he’s making money hand over fist while the world goes to hell in a hand basket.” This stark indictment highlights the perceived hypocrisy in Trump’s approach to governance, particularly regarding environmental issues. Ford’s long-standing commitment to climate advocacy adds weight to his words, as he has been sounding the alarm on environmental crises for decades.
Trump’s record on climate change has been one of denial and destruction. Just last month, he dismissed climate change as “the greatest conj job ever perpetrated on the world,” urging a return to traditional energy sources while slashing funding for renewable energy initiatives. Such positions have drawn sharp rebukes from environmentalists and concerned citizens alike, who see them as detrimental to both the planet and future generations.
Ford’s comments are particularly poignant in light of these actions. He pointed out that everything environmental advocates have warned about regarding climate change has come true, emphasizing the need for urgent action. “Why is that not enough to alarm people? Because of the entrenched status quo,” he remarked, highlighting the systemic issues that hinder progress.
Despite his frustration with the current administration, Ford remains hopeful. He believes that with the right political will and intellectual sophistication, humanity can mitigate the impacts of climate change. “We just need the political will and intellectual sophistication to realize that human beings are capable of change,” he stated, echoing a sentiment shared by many activists and concerned citizens.
Ford’s activism extends beyond environmental issues. During the 2024 election, he publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, contrasting her leadership style with Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. “The other guy spent four years turning us against each other while embracing dictators and tyrants,” Ford said, emphasizing the need for unity and progressive leadership.
As Harrison Ford’s rebuke of Donald Trump reverberates through the political landscape, it serves as a reminder of the urgent need for accountability and change. The challenges facing American families, coupled with the ongoing climate crisis, demand leaders who prioritize the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants over personal gain. Ford’s message is clear: while Trump profits off denial, the planet is burning, and silence in the face of injustice is complicity.
In this fight between truth and greed, it is crucial for citizens to stay informed and engaged. As the political landscape continues to evolve, voices like Ford’s are essential in advocating for a future that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and justice for all. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.