The Oval Office has been a hub of activity this week as President Donald Trump gears up to dismantle a series of left-wing programs.
The President's enthusiasm for the task at hand was evident in a series of social media posts, where he expressed delight at the opportunity presented by the federal government shutdown, a situation orchestrated by congressional Democrats.
"Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat forced closure to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud. Billions of Dollars can be saved. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump declared on Truth Social late Wednesday.
The following day, he revealed his plans to meet with Russ Vought, known for PROJECT 2025, to discuss potential cuts to Democrat Agencies, many of which he labeled as political scams.
"I cant believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT," Trump added on Truth Social.
As reported by Western Journal, on the first day of the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration halted $26 billion in previously approved funding for infrastructure projects. White House budget director, Russ Vought, informed legislators that "mass layoffs targeting federal workers" were imminent.
When asked about the potential for firing federal workers during the shutdown, Trump responded, "Well, there could be firings, and thats their fault, and it could also be other things. I mean, we could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and theyd be permanently cut."
He further clarified, "But a lot of people are saying it. Because Im allowed to cut things that should have never been approved in the first place, and I will probably do that."
An Office of Management and Budget memo, shared by Politico, urged federal executives to use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently eliminate jobs that no longer have funding, cannot be supported under other funding, or do not align with the President's policies.
The memo emphasized that the One Big Beautiful Bill provides "ample resources to ensure that many core Trump Administration priorities will continue uninterrupted."
The memo further stated that programs which are "no longer statutorily required to be carried out" and are unfunded should be cut, along with the workers who administer them.
It directed agencies to consider Reduction in Force (RIF) notices for all employees in programs, projects, or activities (PPAs) that meet three conditions: discretionary funding lapses on October 1, 2025; another source of funding, such as H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21), is not currently available; and the PPA does not align with the Presidents priorities. H.R. 1 is the official name for the One Big Beautiful Bill.
The federal government shutdown, while a cause for concern for many, has been seized upon by President Trump as an opportunity to streamline government operations and eliminate wasteful spending. His actions, while controversial, reflect a commitment to fiscal responsibility and a determination to reshape the federal government in line with conservative principles.
As the shutdown continues, the impact of these cuts on the federal workforce and the broader economy remains to be seen.
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