President Trump says the ongoing government shutdown gives the administration a chance to reshape the federal government—by cutting programs, axing jobs, and reallocating priorities.
Trump has signaled that agencies with a heavy focus on Democratic priorities could face the deepest reductions. He’s also ordered the Office of Management and Budget to tell departments to prepare permanent layoffs—moving beyond traditional furloughs—if funding isn’t restored.
Meanwhile, the White House is positioning essential functions—such as defense, homeland security, and enforcement—to continue full operations, while sending signals that myriad programs may be scaled back or shuttered depending on how long the impasse lasts.