White House Warns Federal Layoffs, Military Pay Risk

The Trump administration warned that mass layoffs of "nonessential" federal employees are imminent as the government shutdown enters its first day, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying cuts could begin within days. OMB Director Russell Vought told House Republicans firings could start "in one to two" days and ordered agencies to prepare Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notices, according to an OMB memo. Officials said layoffs would target employees in roles deemed nonessential or in programs not consistent with the president’s priorities but provided no specific departments, percentages or timelines. The administration has also frozen $18 billion in New York City infrastructure funding and warned programs including WIC and military pay could face disruption, while blaming Senate Democrats for the shutdown. Lawmakers remain divided as some Republicans pursue stopgap deals to limit the fallout.