Trump warns of mass layoffs, permanent cuts to Democrats’ ‘favorite projects’ amid govt shutdown

Donald Trump said he was consulting with Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to identify programs for potential elimination
PUBLISHED OCT 3, 2025
President Donald Trump intensified the standoff with Democrats as the government shutdown entered its third day (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump intensified the standoff with Democrats as the government shutdown entered its third day (Getty Images)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump intensified the standoff with Democrats on Thursday, October 2, threatening to permanently cut federal projects and order mass layoffs from agencies tied to the party as the government shutdown entered its third day.

Trump’s comments came during an interview with One America News Network, where he framed the shutdown as an opportunity to eliminate what he described as “Democrat agencies” and programs, further escalating partisan tensions while negotiations remain stalled.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. In an unprecedented gathering, almost 800 generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders have been ordered into one location from around the world on short notice. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump threatens 'permanent' project cuts

Speaking in the interview, Trump issued a direct warning to Democrats, “We could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and then they'd be permanently cut.”


WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: U.S. President Donald Trump announces a deal with Pfizer to lower Medicaid drug prices in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has reportedly reached an agreement with pharmaceutical company Pfizer to voluntarily sell its medications through Medicaid at lower prices. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump announces a deal with Pfizer to lower Medicaid drug prices in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

He said he was actively consulting with Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to identify programs that could be slashed. “We’re meeting with Russ to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut,” Trump added.

The remarks signal Trump’s intent to use the shutdown not only as leverage in funding negotiations but also as a means to reshape the federal workforce by targeting programs he views as partisan.

White House signals job losses ahead

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later reinforced the president’s stance, confirming that the administration anticipates widespread layoffs if the shutdown continues.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 02: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt participates in a TV interview on the White House ground on October 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt spoke to members of the press outside the West Wing afterwards on various topics including the current government shutdown. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt participates in a TV interview on the White House ground on October 2, 2025 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“Thousands of people will likely be laid off,” Leavitt told reporters, specifying that the reductions would focus on “Democrat agencies.”

This marks one of the clearest indications yet that the administration is preparing to use the shutdown as a tool for long-term restructuring rather than simply a temporary bargaining chip.

Shutdown stretches into third day

The government shutdown began just after midnight Wednesday when a Republican-backed spending bill failed in the Senate by a 55–45 vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to move forward.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: The U.S. Capitol Visitors Center is closed to visitors during the federal government shut down on October 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. The government shut down early Wednesday after Congress failed to reach a funding deal. ( (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The US Capitol Visitors Center is closed to visitors during the federal government shutdown on October 01, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The failed measure deepened the partisan divide, with Democrats unified in opposition and several Republicans breaking ranks. The impasse has left federal operations in uncertainty, with non-essential services already scaling back and thousands of workers facing furloughs.

With no immediate compromise in sight, lawmakers are preparing for another vote scheduled for Friday afternoon. Whether the renewed effort will lead to a resolution remains unclear, as neither party has indicated significant movement in their positions.

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