Trump Blames Democrats as Stalemate Enters Fifth Day
WASHINGTON — The White House has issued a stark warning that mass layoffs of federal employees could begin if negotiations with congressional Democrats fail to end the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth day.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday that President Donald Trump is preparing to act if talks remain at a standstill. “President Trump and Russ Vought are lining things up and getting ready to act if they have to, but hoping that they don’t,” Hassett said, referring to the White House budget director. “If the president decides that the negotiations are absolutely going nowhere, then there will start to be layoffs.”
President Trump, speaking to reporters later in the day, described the potential job cuts as “Democrat layoffs.” He said, “Anybody laid off, that’s because of the Democrats,” intensifying his efforts to blame the opposition for the ongoing funding impasse.
Despite the shutdown, Trump attended a U.S. Navy anniversary ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on Sunday. Posting on Truth Social before his departure, he wrote, “THE SHOW MUST GO ON!” and accused Democrats of trying “to destroy this wonderful celebration of the US Navy’s Birthday.”
Talks at a Standstill
The deadlock began on October 1, the first day of the new fiscal year, when Senate Democrats rejected a short-term funding bill that would have kept federal agencies open through November 21. Since then, no substantial negotiations have taken place between the White House and congressional leaders.
“They’ve refused to talk with us,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on CBS’s Face the Nation, insisting that only direct talks between Trump and congressional leaders could end the shutdown.
Democrats are pushing for a permanent extension of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act and want assurances that the White House will not make unilateral spending cuts after any deal is reached. The White House, meanwhile, is holding firm on its budget demands.
The standoff threatens to trigger widespread layoffs and disrupt critical government services, raising the stakes for both sides as political and economic pressures mount.