Local Democrats Dismiss Shutdown Threats to Fire Federal Workers

Sept. 25, 2025, 8:32 PM UTC

Democratic lawmakers are brushing off the Trump administration’s instructions to agencies to prepare for mass layoffs in the event of a government shutdown.

Members who represent the areas around the nation’s capital say President Donald Trump has already forced hundreds of thousands of federal workers out of their jobs over the past nine months without a shutdown.

“I think it’s bluster and BS,” said Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), who recently won a special election to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). “The fact is, that while in a shutdown, the administration certainly has some flexibility within the law to ...

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