Trump and Vought Turn Shutdown Into Government Overhaul/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump and OMB Director Russ Vought are using the ongoing government shutdown to restructure the federal workforce, deciding who will be paid or fired—a departure from past shutdown norms. Despite legal challenges and criticism, the administration continues funding military and deportation priorities while cutting in areas like education and health. The breakdown in Congress escalates the standoff and leaves many federal employees in limbo.
Shutdown Power Play: Quick Looks
- Trump grants Vought authority to pick who works, who doesn’t
- Over 4,000 federal employees given layoff notices during shutdown
- Military, law enforcement, border agencies continue receiving funds
- Health, education, science sectors face deeper cuts and firings
- Congress remains deadlocked as House refuses to reconvene
- Speaker Johnson backs OMB’s authority to reallocate funds
- Shutdown now in third week, among the longest in U.S. history
- Vought’s past work on Project 2025 mirrors his current agenda
- Democrats vow legal battles against what they call illegal firings
- “Big, Beautiful Bill” enables White House to bypass regular funding rules
Deep Look: Trump and Vought Turn Shutdown Into Workforce Shake-Up
WASHINGTON (AP) — This government shutdown is unlike any before it. Rather than merely halting operations, President Donald Trump, through Budget Director Russ Vought, is wielding the shutdown as an opportunity to restructure the federal workforce—deciding who gets paid, who gets laid off, and which programs are preserved or slashed.
While previous shutdowns largely involved furloughs—with federal employees typically receiving back pay later—this time the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is issuing firings in some departments, especially those tied to health, education, and science, while military, law enforcement, and border enforcement remain funded. The result: a selective reallocation of government priorities mid‑shutdown.
“Pay the troops, pay law enforcement, continue the RIFs (reductions in force), and wait,” OMB posted on social media.
As the shutdown enters its third week, OMB says more cuts are ahead. It’s a pivot from Congress to the executive branch—the White House is making decisions that traditionally rest with lawmakers.
Vought’s Role and Political Blueprint
Russ Vought, a key figure behind the conservative Project 2025 policy agenda, is applying that playbook to reshape the federal government. Many Democrats had warned that a shutdown without congressional guidance would allow unchecked executive reorganization—and that is exactly what is happening.
While funding for Trump’s priorities—such as military spending and immigration enforcement—has largely proceeded uninterrupted, departments in health, education, science, and more are bearing the brunt of cuts. Estimates suggest as many as 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed or terminated.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D‑Md.) criticized the administration’s approach outside the White House budget office.
“They’re using this moment to terrorize federal workers,” he charged, calling the cuts illegal and vowing court challenges.
Congressional Gridlock Intensifies the Crisis
The shutdown began after Congress failed to pass the annual appropriations bills by October 1, largely due to Democrats’ push to include health subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The Republican-led House, however, refuses to reconvene until Democrats agree to reopen the government without preconditions.
On Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson defended OMB’s expanded role:
“They have every right to move the funds around,” he said. “If Democrats want to challenge us, bring it.”
This delegation of power to the executive branch, Johnson argues, is justified by law—even as many see it as a dangerous precedent.
Meanwhile, late last week, over 4,000 federal employees received layoff notices, a move rarely seen in shutdowns. The traditional expectation has been furloughs with later reimbursement; this year, the administration signals some may not be eligible for back pay.
How Some Agencies Stay Funded
Despite the shutdown, selective agency functions continue. Trump has instructed the military to secure its own payroll — the Pentagon tapped $8 billion in unspent R&D funds to cover service members. DHS, particularly the Coast Guard, is using funds from the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, the recent omnibus package, to cover operations.
Yet, by encouraging “reductions in force,” Vought is going further than past OMBs. In a draft internal memo, his general counsel suggested some workers might not be guaranteed back pay—an exceptional move that signals a rethinking of the social compact between government and its workforce.
Symbolism, Criticism, Political Messaging
Trump even created an AI-generated video depicting Vought as the “grim reaper,” wielding a metaphorical scythe over the government. Democrats were quick to pounce.
“Elon Musk had a chainsaw. Vought swings his scythe across the government,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D‑Md.).
That imagery underscores the political stakes: what might appear as administrative changes could reshape federal roles and responsibilities for years to come.
At the same time, the “Big, Beautiful Bill” bypassed the usual congressional appropriations process, directing $175 billion to defense and $175 million to Homeland Security, including immigration enforcement. That allows the executive branch to act independently even amid a shutdown.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), some of these funds are legally eligible for use during shutdowns. That gives the administration tools to fund prioritized agencies without congressional approval.
What’s Next
- Legal battles likely: Democrats insist many firings are illegal and promise court challenges.
- Further reductions ahead: OMB warns more cuts across departments.
- Shutdown length unknown: With Congress unmoved, the impasse could drag on.
- Employee uncertainty intensifies: Many federal workers remain in limbo over pay, status, and future.
- New precedents being set: The power to reshape federal roles during a shutdown may become a lasting tool.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.