ISTANBUL

On Wednesday, day one of the US government shutdown, the White House budget chief told House Republicans that federal layoffs would begin within “one to two” days, according to two GOP sources who took part in the conference call where the matter was discussed.

During previous government shutdowns, federal employees were furloughed, not fired. Federal workers’ unions and Democrats have raised questions if such firings would be legal.

Last week, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought issued a memo warning that mass reductions in the federal workforce could occur in the event of a shutdown, but offered no specific details to Republicans about the plan and argued that the dismissals would not be necessary if not for the Democrats allegedly forcing the administration’s hand.

Shortly afterward, Vice President JD Vance said in the White House press briefing room that layoffs would occur soon if the shutdown continues.

"We are going to have to lay some people off if the shutdown continues. We don’t like that. We don’t necessarily want to do it," Vance told reporters. "But we’re going to do what we have to keep the American people’s essential services continuing to run," said Vance, as reported by NBC news.

Nutrition program for women, children running low on money

Vance rejected the notion that the Trump administration was targeting federal workers for political reasons.

"We’re targeting the people’s government so that as much as possible of the essential services can continue to function," he stated.

Vought’s memo indicated that agencies would be prompted to issue reduction-in-force notices to all employees in programs, projects, or activities whose funding ran out starting Wednesday due to the shutdown and that are “not consistent with the President’s priorities.”

The memo did not indicate the number of federal employees who could potentially lose their jobs.

During a virtual call on Wednesday, Vought also warned that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program could run out of funds by next week if the government remains closed. The National WIC Association, representing state and local members, confirmed the timeline to NBC News, noting that funding might be exhausted within a week or two.

Other topics discussed in the call included the suspension of military funding, which is on hold along with other federal employees' pay during the shutdown, and national parks, which will remain partially open.

Asked about the administration's threats to lay off federal employees, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the government would have laid people off regardless of a shutdown, claiming it is Republican "ideology" to cause pain.

Separately, the Senate rejected both Democratic and Republican funding plans for the second time in a single day. Despite holding a 53–47 majority, Senate Republicans require bipartisan support to pass any funding legislation.