Post Reports Trump is trying to use the shutdown to lay off workers
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Oct 15, 2025 Hannah Natanson, a dedicated reporter for The Washington Post focusing on federal government issues, joins the discussion on the ongoing government shutdown. She reveals the immediate fallout—missed paychecks, closed national parks, and heightened anxiety among federal employees. Natanson highlights how layoffs disproportionately target vulnerable populations while also impacting Republican priorities. Legal questions loom over these firings, raising concerns about their legitimacy and potential for future cuts, leaving many worried about their livelihoods.
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Layoffs Target Social-Service Offices
- The firings hit about 4,000 employees across multiple agencies during the shutdown.
- The cuts overwhelmingly targeted offices that serve vulnerable populations, not just partisan priorities.
Cuts Hit Essential Regulatory And Support Work
- Many of the targeted offices enforce safety, housing quality, and disability services.
- Some cut programs align with traditional Republican goals, revealing blunt, untargeted slicing.
CDC Rehired Key Outbreak Staff
- The CDC reversed more than half of its firing notices after realizing crucial outbreak-response staff were cut.
- Those personnel were brought back because their roles were essential to public health responses.