Washington: On the second day of a federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he would meet with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to determine which federal agencies, labeled by the administration as “Democrat Agencies,” could face budget cuts. The move comes as the administration seeks to apply pressure on political opponents amid an unresolved standoff in Congress.
“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” Trump stated in a social media post, framing the shutdown as a strategic moment to pursue his policy priorities. Already, the administration has frozen federal transit and green-energy funding to Democratic-leaning states and threatened additional layoffs for federal workers. Estimates suggest that as many as 300,000 federal employees could be impacted by year’s end if the shutdown continues.
Trump’s meeting with Vought aligns with the principles outlined in Project 2025, a conservative blueprint from the Heritage Foundation advocating for a significant downsizing of federal government functions. Past actions inspired by the plan include efforts to curtail environmental regulations and dismantle certain federal departments.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated that the president has authority to dismiss thousands of federal employees, though specifics remain unclear. Several federal employee unions have filed lawsuits seeking to prevent these potential layoffs, but federal courts have allowed the administration to proceed while related cases are adjudicated.
The shutdown, the 15th since 1981, has already disrupted a range of government functions, including scientific research, economic reporting, and numerous public services. Roughly two million federal workers face suspended pay, with about 750,000 furloughed and others, including military personnel and Border Patrol agents, required to work without immediate compensation. Analysts warn that prolonged closure could impact air travel, food aid programs, mortgage applications, and exports, although past shutdowns have not caused lasting economic damage.
The legislative deadlock stems from disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over a spending bill to extend agency operations past the fiscal year start on October 1. Democrats insist that health subsidies must be included in any funding measure, while Republicans argue that the issues should be handled separately. The Senate is expected to reconvene on Friday, making it the earliest possible date for a resolution.
As the shutdown persists, Trump’s meeting with Vought signals a continuation of aggressive fiscal measures, potentially reshaping government operations and affecting millions of Americans relying on federal programs.