Overview

• President Trump told reporters the first federal employee layoffs are underway during the funding lapse.
• White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt previously said thousands would be let go during the shutdown.
• Politico reported OMB director Russell Vought notified House Republicans that mass reductions would begin within days, a plan Vice President J.D. Vance publicly backed.
• The partial shutdown began Oct. 1 when Congress failed to pass appropriations, with Republicans and Democrats trading blame over disputed spending, including health programs.
• YouGov/Economist and CBS polling before the lapse found majority disapproval of Trump and 80% worried about economic fallout, while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned a Trump meme-video and said he stands ready to negotiate.