Threat of Mass Job Cuts Raises Stakes of Government Shutdown (1)

A fresh threat from President Donald Trump’s budget office of mass firings of federal workers if the government shuts down Oct. 1 incensed Democratic leaders and ramped up the political and economic stakes if lawmakers and the White House can’t reach a deal.

A memo sent Wednesday night from the White House Office of Management and Budget directs agencies to plan to permanently lay off federal workers in programs that do not align with Trump’s priorities if the deadline to pass government funding lapses.

Democratic leaders said they wouldn’t back down in the face of the administration’s hardball tactic ...