The calm reaction of financial markets to the government shutdown could encourage President Donald Trump to press ahead with an agenda of cuts to federal employment and spending.

The White House has threatened and already implemented some so-called “reductions-in-force,” in which agencies would fire employees who aren’t deemed essential.

Recommended Stories

First round of October Social Security payments goes out in six days

No jobs report expected Friday amid government shutdown

October Social Security direct payment worth $967 goes out today

Trump ran on downsizing the federal government and cutting into the administrative state. Through the Department of Government Efficiency and other efforts, his administration has worked to reduce the federal workforce, and last wee

See Full Page