Widespread terminations of US federal employees have commenced, as Republican lawmakers work to exert pressure on Democrat counterparts to resolve a government shutdown. The White House budget office described the reductions as “significant,” with labor groups for federal workers taking the issue to litigation. The president remarked that the job losses “are going to be a lot” and implied that affected positions would be in regions that were “leaning Democratic.”
White House Announces Government Employee Reductions
The executive branch announced staff cuts of federal workers on Friday, making good on a threat it had made in response to the US government shutdown, which now seems probable to extend into a consecutive third week. The director of the administration's office of budget management posted on social media that “reduction-in-force procedures have begun,” indicating the federal process to let employees go.
Chief Executive Threatens Total Chinese Duties
The US president has threatened to impose further US import taxes of one hundred percent on Chinese goods from next month, accusing the Chinese government of “very hostile” moves to limit exports of rare earths needed for US manufacturing. Wall Street dropped significantly after the American leader reignited open disputes with the Chinese government, and raised the possibility of a further acrimonious trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Military Troops Seen on Memphis Roads
National guard troops were seen patrolling in Memphis for the initial occasion on Friday, as part of the administration's controversial government initiative, amid intense legal challenges as he was blocked from sending forces to the Illinois city and a judicial decision was pending in the Oregon city.
University Declines White House Plan to Revamp Procedures
The MIT has become the initial US university to formally reject a executive offer that would restructure academic policies in return for priority access to federal funding.
White House Criticizes Perceived Peace Award Snub
The executive office has condemned the peace prize panel's choice to grant the Nobel peace prize to someone other than the president. “The Nobel committee demonstrated they place politics over peace,” wrote a presidential aide and head of communications.
What Else Happened Today:
- The president had what he has characterized as a “biannual health exam” at the military national military medical center.
- Up to forty American academics have been dismissed or penalized after rightwing campaigns focused on their comments on a violent incident, creating a “climate of anxiety” on campuses.
- Leading NY Democrats have come together in support of a public figure a 24 hours after she was charged on mortgage fraud charges by a federal prosecutor selected by the administration.
