Blue Press Journal – In a stark warning, a new memo from the White House budget office has suggested that mass firings of federal workers could be on the table if a government shutdown occurs. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) has swiftly denounced the memo, labeling it “an attempt at intimidation” by the Trump administration.
The memo’s release comes as government funding is set to expire on September 30, with many predicting a shutdown as likely next week. Schumer, who was scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss a funding deal, saw the meeting cancelled by the President. The cancellation has only added to the tensions between the two sides.
Schumer has predicted that any attempt by the administration to use a shutdown as a justification to fire thousands of federal workers would be overturned by federal courts. “Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one — not to govern, but to scare,” Schumer said in a statement. “This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government. These unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back, just like they did as recently as today.”
The Senate Democratic Leader’s criticism reflects the deepening divide between the White House and Congressional Democrats over the budget and funding priorities. With the clock ticking down to the September 30 deadline, the likelihood of a shutdown appears to be growing by the day.
The White House memo has been seen by many as a transparent attempt to strong-arm Democrats into acquiescing to the administration’s demands. However, Schumer’s response suggests that Democrats will not be intimidated, and will instead push back against what they see as a blatant attempt to politicize the budget process.
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