‘Get Lost!’ Top Dems Fume at OMB Memo Threatening Mass Firings if Shutdown Hits
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
Top Democrats unloaded on the White House for turning up the pressure in Washington’s funding standoff, instructing agencies to prepare for mass layoffs if Congress fails to pass a spending bill by Oct. 1.
In a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), seen by Politico and published in full by Puck, the administration signaled it is prepared to go further than the usual furloughs seen in past shutdowns.
“RIF notices will be in addition to any furlough notices provided due to the lapse in appropriation,” the document states, using the government’s term for a “reduction in force.”
The directive also warned that “programs that did not benefit from an infusion of mandatory appropriations will bear the brunt of a shutdown,” casting blame on Democrats for risking job losses.
Democratic congressional leaders responded by accusing the White House of weaponizing federal employment to pressure the opposition.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries went further, directly attacking OMB director Russell Vought as a “malignant political hack.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer protested that the tactics were “nothing new” and warned any firings would be challenged in court.
“This is an attempt at intimidation,” he said. “Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one — not to govern, but to scare. This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government. These unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back, just like they did as recently as today.”
