Shutdown layoffs likely first step for downsized federal government

(NewsNation) — The Trump medication is reportedly ironing retired the details of expected wide layoffs, which could travel arsenic soon arsenic time and footwear disconnected a circular of federal downsizing.

Russ Vought, manager of the Office of Management and Budget, and his section are organizing the government's plans.

Vought and President Donald Trump person gone connected the grounds that upcoming layoffs and furloughs could beryllium imperishable — and portion of a larger administrative plan.

Calling the shutdown an "unprecedented opportunity" from "the Radical Left Democrats" successful a societal media post, Trump has doubled down connected his DOGE-era goal of slashing the national workforce.

If Trump were to motion disconnected connected Vought's program Friday, the layoffs could statesman immediately, putting national workers' paychecks, benefits and captious nationalist services connected the line.

Government shutdown layoffs: What to expect

In the past, national workers person been furloughed erstwhile the authorities shuts down and returned to their jobs erstwhile the shutdown is over. Since 2019, those workers automatically receive back pay for the clip the authorities was closed.

White House property caput Karoline Leavitt said the fig of layoffs and firings could beryllium successful the thousands if the existent shutdown continues. 

Approximately 580,000 national workers could beryllium furloughed, according to NewsNation estimates based connected nationalist unit data.

NewsNation's Steph Whiteside and Libbey Dean contributed to this report.