Trump hostage-taking

Trump is threatening to conduct mass firings of federal workers unless Democrats help Republicans overcome a filibuster to pass an unconditional stopgap measure keeping the government open.

“The White House Office of Management and Budget, which is led by Russ Vought, put out a memo last night telling federal agencies to start prepping reduction-in-force (RIF) plans for widespread firings in the event of a potential government shutdown next week. The memo instructed agency staff to identify jobs that can be permanently eliminated from the pool of employees who would typically be placed on furlough in the event of a normal government shutdown.”

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has pointed out that the Trump administration doesn’t have the authority to use a government shutdown as an excuse to fire federal employees.

“Critically, while the executive branch has some discretion as to what activities continue during a shutdown — and it is impossible to predict whether the Administration will take unlawful actions under the pretext of a shutdown — a government shutdown does not provide the Administration any additional legal authority to fire federal employees, limit review of its actions by federal courts, or freeze funding once full-year appropriations are provided.”

 

For now, Senate Democrats appear to be holding the line.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/white-house-tries-to-smush-dems-backbone-with-threats-of-mass-firings-during-govt-shutdown


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