U.S. President Donald Trump gestures, as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., Sept.
26, 2025.Elizabeth Frantz | ReutersPresident Donald Trump warned Sunday of widespread layoffs if the federal government shuts down this week, telling NBC News that "we are going to cut a lot of the people that ...
we're able to cut on a permanent basis.""[I'd] rather not do that," he told NBC News in an exclusive interview.The White House is doubling down on warnings that thousands of government jobs could be on the line if the government shuts down at midnight on Tuesday.The Trump administration last week told federal agencies to begin preparing for mass firings if Congress does not agree to a deal to avert a shutdown.
If the White House s through on its threat, it would mark a break from precedent, as federal employees are typically furloughed in such cases.When there was a full government shutdown in 2013, for instance, 850,000 employees were furloughed, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.Read more CNBC government shutdown coverageGOP leaders say Obamacare tax credit fight can wait until after shutdown is avertedTop Democrat slams Trump for attending Ryder Cup golf event as shutdown loomsHere's what to know a federal government shutdownHealth viders could lose $32 billion if ACA credits at center of shutdown fight expireDemocrats dig in on health care demands with government shutdown days awayTrump OMB orders prep for mass firings of federal workers if government shuts downTrump cancels meeting with top Democrats as government shutdown loomsTrump to meet top Dems as their health care demands fuel government shutdown riskThe warning of potential mass firings — which was made via a memo released by the Office of Management and Budget — marked a significant escalation of pressure on congressional lawmakers to head off a shutdown.Still, with less than three days until the government funding deadline, lawmakers remain far apart on negotiations, increasing the chances of a shutdown.