Overview

• President Donald Trump said he could announce significant staff reductions and the permanent elimination of multiple government programs within four or five days if the shutdown continues.
• The White House press secretary clarified that earlier references to “firings” primarily described unpaid furloughs, while confirming OMB is developing agency layoff plans.
• Trump indicated some federal employees may not receive back pay, later adding that not everyone with delayed paychecks deserves compensation and offering no details on alternative support.
• Vice President J.D. Vance affirmed the intention to use the shutdown to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, and OMB’s Russell Vought reportedly told House Republicans layoffs could start within days.
• The partial shutdown began October 1 after a funding lapse, with both parties blaming each other, and Trump escalated attacks on Democratic leaders, comparing the party to Somalia and calling their approach a “kamikaze” move.