Government Shutdown Enters Fifth Day as Trump Warns of Mass Federal Layoffs:

As the partial U.S. government shutdown stretches into its fifth day, the White House has warned that mass layoffs of federal workers could begin if negotiations with congressional Democrats remain stalled. President Donald Trump has signaled that he’s prepared to take action if talks go nowhere, placing the blame squarely on Democrats. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, said the administration is still hoping for a resolution. “President Trump and Budget Director Russ Vought are lining things up and getting ready to act if they have to, but hoping that they don’t,” Hassett said. “If the president decides that negotiations are absolutely going nowhere, then there will start to be layoffs.” President Trump has called the looming job losses “Democrat layoffs,” arguing that if federal employees are furloughed, it’s due to Democrats' refusal to negotiate. “Anybody laid off, that’s because of the Democrats,” Trump told reporters on Sunday. Despite the shutdown, Trump traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, to attend a U.S. Navy anniversary celebration, saying the event should proceed regardless of the government’s status. Posting on Truth Social before departing, he wrote, “I believe, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’” He added that it was meant to be “a show of Naval aptitude and strength,” though partisan tensions threatened to overshadow the event. Trump accused Democrats of trying “to destroy this wonderful celebration of the US Navy’s Birthday.” No Movement on Negotiations The shutdown began on October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year, after Senate Democrats blocked a short-term funding bill that would have kept the government running through November 21. Since then, talks have been frozen, and both sides are blaming the other for the impasse. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told CBS’s Face the Nation that the path to resolution lies with the White House. “They’ve refused to talk with us,” Schumer said, urging President Trump to return to the negotiating table. Democrats are pushing for a permanent extension of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as assurances that the administration will not later cut spending from any agreed deal. Senate Republicans, while open to discussing healthcare reforms, say reopening the government must come first. “It’s open up the government or else,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune during an appearance on Fox News. “That’s really the choice that’s in front of them right now.” Trump also weighed in, criticizing the ACA as “a disaster” and saying Republicans are willing to negotiate healthcare changes that would “make it work.” No Deal in Sight as Deadline Looms So far, only informal discussions have taken place between rank-and-file senators from both parties. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego told CNN that progress has been minimal, saying simply, “At this point, no,” when asked if a deal was close. The Senate is expected to vote again Monday on two competing funding bills—one from the Republican-led House and another backed by Democrats. However, neither is expected to get the 60 votes needed to pass. The stakes are high. According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly 750,000 federal workers face furloughs, costing roughly $400 million in lost wages per day. While backpay is guaranteed under the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, it won’t be distributed until the shutdown ends. With no negotiations on the horizon and political tensions deepening, a resolution remains uncertain—leaving hundreds of thousands of Americans in limbo.

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