As the shutdown drags on, the threat of permanent cuts is mired in politics

""I can't believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He called on Republicans to use the shutdown to "clear out dead wood" and said billions of dollars can be saved "by eliminating waste and fraud," though did not give any examples. While some call the Trump administration's threats a political "bluff" to force Democrats to come back to the negotiating table,"

"Vought has also warned that layoffs of federal workers would begin within days though any reductions-in-force would have to come from agencies themselves and follow certain procedures. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters on Thursday that Vought has no other choice. He blamed Senate Democrats for forcing the administration's hand, and said Vought is following a directive from the president."

President Trump said he would meet with budget director Russ Vought to decide which Democratic-led agencies to cut amid a government shutdown. The administration framed the shutdown as an opportunity to eliminate programs and save billions by removing "waste and fraud." OMB Director Russ Vought announced cancellation of $8 billion in energy projects and threatened to cancel $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding, targeting the home state of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Vought warned layoffs of federal workers could begin within days, though agencies must follow procedures for reductions-in-force. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Vought and blamed Senate Democrats.

Read at www.npr.org