White House Warns Federal Layoffs from Government Shutdown Are “Imminent”

Federal layoffs from government shutdown imminent

White House blames Democrats

Trump plans massive cuts

The White House warned Wednesday that layoffs of federal workers due to the government shutdown are “imminent,” targeting employees classified as nonessential.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought are working with agencies to identify areas where personnel cuts will take place.

“We believe layoffs are imminent. Unfortunately, they are a consequence of this government shutdown,” Leavitt told reporters in Washington.

She added that Vought will meet with members of the House Republican Conference to explain the scope of the cuts, so they can brief their constituents on the plan’s effects.

White House Confirms Federal Layoffs From Government Shutdown

White House says ‘imminent’ layoffs will target nonessential federal workershttps://t.co/ZyseSj24nR pic.twitter.com/HSKVTkWWZc

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 1, 2025

According to Leavitt, more details will be released in the coming days when official guidelines on workforce reduction are published.

“It would be irresponsible not to look at each of the agencies and understand what we’ll have to do moving forward to make the best of this shutdown,” she explained.

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From the White House, Democrats have been blamed as responsible for the shutdown and, by extension, for possible job losses, according to USA Today.

Democrats and White House Trade Blame

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that layoffs to the federal workforce are “imminent,” marking a new front in the Trump administration’s efforts to transform the size and scope of the federal government. pic.twitter.com/QWGOfhFABS

— NTD News (@NTDNews) October 2, 2025

“Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do, and that’s because Democrats put us in this situation. If they hadn’t voted to shut down the government, we wouldn’t be talking about layoffs today,” Leavitt insisted.

The congressional stalemate stems from Democratic demands to alter the temporary spending bill.

They seek to remove provisions of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that restrict Medicaid access for undocumented immigrants and some able-bodied adults, while also demanding an extension of Obamacare subsidies expiring this year.

Vice President Vance Defends Cuts

Vice President JD Vance joined the press briefing, stating that workers labeled “nonessential” would be the first to lose their jobs if the shutdown is not resolved.

“We are not attacking federal agencies for political reasons,” Vance said. “We are targeting government operations so that as many essential workers as possible can keep working.”

These statements came a day after Trump declared he would use the government shutdown as an opportunity to fire “many” federal employees and cut programs and benefits he deems unnecessary.

The OMB had already sent a memo to agencies requesting “workforce reduction” plans, confirming the administration intends to go beyond temporary furloughs and move toward permanent layoffs.

With these measures, the impact of the government shutdown could be more severe than in previous episodes, affecting thousands of families and increasing political pressure on Congress.