White House fires thousands of employees, blames government shutdown
President Donald Trump on October 10 began the process of firing thousands of federal government employees, blaming Democrats for the decision amid a 10-day US government shutdown.
Job cuts have been made at the Treasury Department, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Education, the Department of Commerce and the cybersecurity division of the US Department of Homeland Security.
The exact number has not been released, but a Justice Department court filing said more than 4,200 employees at seven agencies have received layoff notices, including more than 1,400 at the Treasury Department and at least 1,100 at HHS.
“They started it,” Mr. Trump told reporters, calling the job cuts “Democrat-oriented.” Although Mr. Trump’s Republicans hold majorities in both houses of Congress, they would need Democratic votes in the Senate to pass any measure to fund the government.
The impasse comes as Democrats demand an extension of health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing that medical costs would rise sharply for many of the 24 million Americans covered by the program.
In response, Democratic leaders said they would not bow to Mr Trump's pressure. "Until Republicans get serious, they will be held accountable for this - every job lost, every family hurt, every service cut is their decision," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
Not only did he fire employees, Mr. Trump also ordered the freezing of at least $28 billion in infrastructure funds for the states of New York, California and Illinois, which are places with many Democratic voters.
Unions representing federal workers have filed a lawsuit to block the layoffs, arguing they are illegal during the government shutdown. A federal judge is expected to hear the case on October 16.
Some Republicans also opposed the move, including Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The layoffs come on the same day many federal employees are receiving less pay due to the government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands have been furloughed, while others continue to work without pay. If the impasse is not resolved, about 2 million active-duty US military personnel will not receive pay on October 15.