Unprecedented Government Shutdown Under Trump: A Distorted Landscape of Federal Employment

Mon Oct 20 2025 19:04:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As the government shutdown reaches its third week, President Trump empowers his budget office to reshuffle federal employment like never before. This comes amid the ongoing deadlock in Congress, with a stark focus on prioritizing military payments while slashing jobs across various departments.

President Trump's unprecedented government shutdown, now entering its third week, allows his budget office greater authority in determining federal employee fates. Amidst Congressional inaction, the Office of Management and Budget prepares for more layoffs, particularly targeting health and educational sectors, while military payments are ensured. This controversial restructuring raises legal concerns and underscores a stark division in government approaches.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is making this government shutdown unlike any the country has ever seen, enabling his budget office a rare authority to pick winners and losers in an unprecedented restructuring across the federal workforce.

As the shutdown enters its third week, the Office and Management and Budget (OMB) announced it is preparing to “batten down the hatches” with further reductions in force anticipated. The president refers to budget chief Russ Vought as the “grim reaper,” who is allegedly using this opportunity to promote Trump’s priorities, including military pay, while slashing jobs across critical sectors like health and education.

“Pay the troops, pay law enforcement, continue the reductions in force, and wait,” OMB proclaimed through social media.

The stalemate in Congress sees the Republican-led House refusing to reconvene, as Senate negotiations fail to yield a resolution to reopen the government amidst Democratic demands to retain health care funds.

Projected cuts have reportedly led to as many as 750,000 federal employees facing furloughs, as layoffs impact various departments, escalating tensions between Trump’s administration and Democratic lawmakers.

Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized this approach, calling it a “big fat lie” and promising legal challenges against the administration’s actions.

As the shutdown stretches into elongated territory, surpassing previous records, Trump continues to direct resources ensuring military personnel receive their paychecks while shifting the burden of layoffs to other federal employees.

Vought's actions stand out, featuring moves to consider reductions in the workforce, a deviation from typical furlough practices allowing workers to receive back pay. Overall, this unprecedented situation reflects deeper internal conflicts and sets the stage for significant changes in government dynamics.