US President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that the government could soon shut down, as tensions with Democrats over spending plans reached a breaking point. The deadline to avoid a shutdown is midnight on September 30.

Trump Predicts Possible Shutdown

Trump admitted a shutdown could happen if lawmakers fail to strike a deal. “Could be, yeah,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “Because Democrats are crazed, they don’t know what they’re doing.”

As a result, if no agreement is reached, many government services will stop immediately, disrupting essential operations nationwide.

White House Raises Stakes with Layoff Threats

Meanwhile, the White House escalated the standoff by directing federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs.

According to a memo obtained by AFP, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed agencies to “use this opportunity to consider Reduction in Force (RIF) notices for all employees.”

Unlike previous shutdowns, which relied on temporary furloughs, this plan could lead to permanent job losses.

Earlier this year, thousands of federal employees were already dismissed under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Consequently, this new directive would deepen the hardship for government workers.

Democrats Reject GOP Plan

On the other hand, Democrats firmly opposed the Republican spending proposal. They demanded that some spending cuts be reversed and that health care subsidies be extended.

In response to the White House’s threats, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a sharp warning. “We will not be intimidated,” he declared.

Furthermore, he criticized OMB chief Russ Vought, calling him “totally and completely out of control.” “The Trump administration has made their intention clear: They want to continue to fire the civil servants who are hard-working American taxpayers,” Jeffries said.

Shutdown Could Halt Essential Services

If Congress fails to act, non-essential government operations will grind to a halt, and hundreds of thousands of civil servants will go without pay.

In addition, the White House ordered agencies to notify employees about possible staff cuts and submit detailed reduction plans. Officials blamed Democrats’ “insane demands” for the standoff. Moreover, the memo accused Democrats of breaking a decade-long pattern of bipartisan agreements designed to prevent shutdowns.

Political Tensions Escalate

Over the years, shutdown battles have become a regular feature of US politics. Increasingly, both Republican and Democratic administrations have struggled to pass spending bills due to deep divisions in Congress.

Last week, Senate Democrats rejected a temporary funding bill passed by the Republican-controlled House. This bill aimed to keep the government open while negotiations continued.

As a result, Trump canceled a planned meeting with Democratic leaders on Tuesday. He stated he would not return to the table until Democrats “become realistic” about their demands.

Time Running Out Before Deadline

Currently, Congress is on recess, creating further delays. The Senate will reconvene on Monday, just one day before the deadline, leaving lawmakers little time to act.

Although Republicans hold a slim majority, they still need some Democratic votes in the Senate due to its rules. However, House Republicans announced they will not return before the deadline, forcing the Senate to either accept their bill or face a shutdown.

Even if passed, the measure would only keep the government funded until November 21, providing only a temporary solution.

Recent Shutdown Showdown

Earlier this year, in March, the US narrowly avoided a similar crisis. At that time, Republicans refused to negotiate over Trump’s massive budget cuts and plans to lay off thousands of federal workers.

Eventually, lawmakers reached a last-minute deal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to support a Republican proposal, keeping the government open through September.

A Crisis on the Horizon

Now, with less than a week remaining, the standoff is more intense than ever. If no deal is reached, the government will shut down. Consequently, essential services will stop, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will once again face uncertainty over their jobs and pay.