The US Government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday (October 1) after Congress and President Donald Trump failed to reach a funding deal. But unlike previous shutdowns, Trump is openly signaling that he may go further than temporary furloughs and use the closure to permanently shrink the federal workforce. Here are the key things you need to know:

1. Trump threatens mass layoffs, not just furloughs

In previous shutdowns, federal employees were mostly furloughed and later given back pay once funding was restored. This time, President Trump has suggested layoffs are on the table.

Last week, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed agencies to prepare “reduction in force” (RIF) plans, which would allow for firings beyond standard furloughs (NBC News, Politi

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