Trump Administration Says Mass Firings Will Begin Within 'One To Two Days'

On the first day of the government shutdown, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought informed House Republicans that federal employee layoffs are expected within "one to two" days . According to two GOP sources on the conference call, Vought did not provide specific details about the layoffs but attributed the situation to Democratic opposition to a short-term Republican funding plan.

The shutdown began as Democrats in Congress rejected the Republican proposal, demanding extensions on enhanced ObamaCare tax credits. Vought had previously issued a memo suggesting that agencies consider issuing Reduction in Force (RIF) notices to employees in certain programs during the shutdown. This memo was seen as an effort to pressure Democrats into accepting the Republican funding