Federal workers brace for shutdown and layoffs as deadline looms

Federal employees across the country are expressing fear and confusion as the Tuesday night deadline approaches for Congress to pass a new government funding plan. Without action, the government will shut down, and the Trump White House has warned the shutdown could be used to implement widespread layoffs. Credit: CNN Newsource

According to a memo obtained by CNN, the White House budget office instructed agencies to “use this opportunity” to prepare permanent job cuts, particularly for programs that do not align with administration priorities. The possibility of both furloughs and mass layoffs has left many employees “terrified” and unsure whether they will have jobs in the weeks ahead.

The looming shutdown comes after months of turbulence in the federal workforce. Trump, along with the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has overseen sweeping firings, rehiring, and legal battles over staffing decisions. Some agencies, like the Internal Revenue Service, have already seen a 25 percent staff reduction this year. Union leaders warn that a shutdown would add to backlogs for services like tax return processing, with deadlines looming in mid-October.

Workers in other agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and Bureau of Prisons, said they are preparing for missed paychecks, cutting back expenses, or considering loans to cover essentials. One air traffic controller told CNN the added stress comes on top of an already high-pressure job.

The General Services Administration has faced criticism for not addressing employee concerns during recent meetings, while workers at the Department of Education and NOAA say they’ve received little guidance about how a shutdown or layoffs would affect them. Hurricane season has added urgency for NOAA staff, with storms already threatening parts of the U.S.

Contractors are also at risk. Unlike federal employees, many do not receive back pay once a shutdown ends. One State Department contractor told CNN she lives paycheck to paycheck and worries she will not be able to support her family if her work is interrupted.

As negotiations stall in Washington, federal employees say they are left bracing for uncertainty. “Federal employees want to do their jobs,” said one union leader. “But it’s hard to do your job when you’re scared.”

Credit: CNN Newsource

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