Government Shutdown - Sep 2025 Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is unclear.

Basically almost all of the executive branch has no independent funding except places like PTO.

Are they firing all those agencies?

Or do they mean anyone not essential and forced to work during shutdown is planned to be RIFFED?

The WH is saying to RIF everyone who is non-essential during the shutdown. Ordinarily, that's almost every federal employee. If this threat sticks around, then during the shutdown, departments and agencies will change their guidance about who is essential to include everyone. Every federal employee will be essential, will work as normal, but without pay until the shutdown ends. I doubt it will even come to that, though.

That’s not actually what the WH is saying. The OMB memo specifically says to consider RIFs in programs that don’t align with the admin’s priorities. They’ve already RIFed those people. Who is left to fire?

No one, which is why the memo isn't saying what you think it says. Like you said, it doesn't make sense your way, because those people have already been RIF'd.

Not one person has been RIFed at my large Agency. Most agency haven't had any one RIFed. Mine hasn't even fired people who were on PIPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is unclear.

Basically almost all of the executive branch has no independent funding except places like PTO.

Are they firing all those agencies?

Or do they mean anyone not essential and forced to work during shutdown is planned to be RIFFED?

The WH is saying to RIF everyone who is non-essential during the shutdown. Ordinarily, that's almost every federal employee. If this threat sticks around, then during the shutdown, departments and agencies will change their guidance about who is essential to include everyone. Every federal employee will be essential, will work as normal, but without pay until the shutdown ends. I doubt it will even come to that, though.

That’s not actually what the WH is saying. The OMB memo specifically says to consider RIFs in programs that don’t align with the admin’s priorities. They’ve already RIFed those people. Who is left to fire?

No one, which is why the memo isn't saying what you think it says. Like you said, it doesn't make sense your way, because those people have already been RIF'd.

Not one person has been RIFed at my large Agency. Most agency haven't had any one RIFed. Mine hasn't even fired people who were on PIPs.

Because all of the people at your large agency align with the admin's priorities.

That PP is correct, the people who "don't align" have mostly all been DRP'ed, RIF'ed, or at least been made aware. Read literally, this threat applies to no one (no one left).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is unclear.

Basically almost all of the executive branch has no independent funding except places like PTO.

Are they firing all those agencies?

Or do they mean anyone not essential and forced to work during shutdown is planned to be RIFFED?

The WH is saying to RIF everyone who is non-essential during the shutdown. Ordinarily, that's almost every federal employee. If this threat sticks around, then during the shutdown, departments and agencies will change their guidance about who is essential to include everyone. Every federal employee will be essential, will work as normal, but without pay until the shutdown ends. I doubt it will even come to that, though.

That’s not actually what the WH is saying. The OMB memo specifically says to consider RIFs in programs that don’t align with the admin’s priorities. They’ve already RIFed those people. Who is left to fire?

No one, which is why the memo isn't saying what you think it says. Like you said, it doesn't make sense your way, because those people have already been RIF'd.

Not one person has been RIFed at my large Agency. Most agency haven't had any one RIFed. Mine hasn't even fired people who were on PIPs.

Because all of the people at your large agency align with the admin's priorities.

That PP is correct, the people who "don't align" have mostly all been DRP'ed, RIF'ed, or at least been made aware. Read literally, this threat applies to no one (no one left).

PP here. Disagree. We have large sectors of our agency that the admin hates (environmental work type things).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is unclear.

Basically almost all of the executive branch has no independent funding except places like PTO.

Are they firing all those agencies?

Or do they mean anyone not essential and forced to work during shutdown is planned to be RIFFED?

The WH is saying to RIF everyone who is non-essential during the shutdown. Ordinarily, that's almost every federal employee. If this threat sticks around, then during the shutdown, departments and agencies will change their guidance about who is essential to include everyone. Every federal employee will be essential, will work as normal, but without pay until the shutdown ends. I doubt it will even come to that, though.

That’s not actually what the WH is saying. The OMB memo specifically says to consider RIFs in programs that don’t align with the admin’s priorities. They’ve already RIFed those people. Who is left to fire?

No one, which is why the memo isn't saying what you think it says. Like you said, it doesn't make sense your way, because those people have already been RIF'd.

Not one person has been RIFed at my large Agency. Most agency haven't had any one RIFed. Mine hasn't even fired people who were on PIPs.

Same.

To another PP’s point, only parts of my agency “align” with the current administration. Some parts certainly do not.

But, I’m not going to worry about this. My magic eight ball says future unclear. It is, in fact, all unclear.

[Anonymous]

Is there a universe where a fed who retired in 2018 doesn’t get their pension check? This is a parent and they can’t survive without it. Please serious answers only!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a universe where a fed who retired in 2018 doesn’t get their pension check? This is a parent and they can’t survive without it. Please serious answers only!

pension is not appropriated funds. it shouldn't be affected, just like social security shouldn't be affected

[Anonymous]

Pensions are fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is cute. It’s clear that Federal workers are not a priority for Democrats, so this really won’t work as a scare tactic. It will look bad for Dema to sacrifice ACA subsidies for low income Americans to save the jobs of Feds with solid benefits.

You are blaming Dems when the GOP holds the House, Senate, and the WH?

Not blaming Dems, just saying as a strategy “ Nice executive branch you got here; it would be a shame if something happened to it.” is not as useful in current conditions as it will further erode the Democratic alignment with the working class.

The Democrats will fold 💯 as they always do but this argument that they have to be weak in order to show the working class they care about them makes no sense whatsoever. Working class people do not care if the federal government stays open. They see themselves as receiving nothing of value from the federal government. A shutdown where they are disabused of that view is not actually going to change their minds, unfortunately.

It’s amazing how, after having six months to strategize, Ds still have their position and messaging laid out in a way that a threat like this can divide any unity. Whats it going to take to become a viable party? Don’t we as a country deserve at least one? I’m tired of cults. I guess Rs get to govern because one big cult overwhelms a bunch of little ones?

R's get to govern for as long as the Ds remain incompetent, which looks like it will be forever.

The play here will be either every fed will be declared essential and forced to work without a paycheck, or all nonessential feds are fired. In either case, Trump will say that the Ds caused this pain to the feds because they are the ones who refused to sign the bill and caused the shutdown.

It's so easy to flip the script here and tell people what's really going on, but the Ds won't be able to do that because they are stupid. So Trump wins, and we either will work with no paycheck, get fired, or Ds cave. All bad options.

Exactly. So Im apparently supposed to listen to all the talk about how stupid the administration is, but then not consider what it means about the intelligence of the current democratic leadership if, given half a year to plan, it cant outsmart the administration to form a winning position/message? If what you’re doing doesn’t work, it’s insanity to keep trying the same thing hoping for a different outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dems better not swoop in to keep it running. Let it close and let MAGA deal with it. Trump people control WH, House, Senate, SC. They should get cracking on the making America great stuff, cause so far they are just breaking things and making them much worse than they found them. They need to own it and their supporters need to feel it.

I'm certain that even if there is no funding, Trump will keep the government running. Everyone will be declared essential (because truthfully we all are) and so nothing changes.

That is the funniest thing I have read in ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is unclear.

Basically almost all of the executive branch has no independent funding except places like PTO.

Are they firing all those agencies?

Or do they mean anyone not essential and forced to work during shutdown is planned to be RIFFED?

The WH is saying to RIF everyone who is non-essential during the shutdown. Ordinarily, that's almost every federal employee. If this threat sticks around, then during the shutdown, departments and agencies will change their guidance about who is essential to include everyone. Every federal employee will be essential, will work as normal, but without pay until the shutdown ends. I doubt it will even come to that, though.

That’s not actually what the WH is saying. The OMB memo specifically says to consider RIFs in programs that don’t align with the admin’s priorities. They’ve already RIFed those people. Who is left to fire?

No one, which is why the memo isn't saying what you think it says. Like you said, it doesn't make sense your way, because those people have already been RIF'd.

Not one person has been RIFed at my large Agency. Most agency haven't had any one RIFed. Mine hasn't even fired people who were on PIPs.

Because all of the people at your large agency align with the admin's priorities.

That PP is correct, the people who "don't align" have mostly all been DRP'ed, RIF'ed, or at least been made aware. Read literally, this threat applies to no one (no one left).

I think DOI is doing RIFs in October so theyre not done yet. I think they re going to do whatever RIFs they plan on doing regardless of the budget situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They might be doing mass firings if there is a shutdown. What a mess:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/24/white-house-firings-shutdown-00579909

I want this to happen, and both my DH and I are feds. I am so sick of Trump thinking this is a game. Let him fire everyone. I am very sure we will all be brought back like they are doing to GSA right now because they won't be able to find people to do the work he actually needs to get done.

+1. I want Voight to do all the work of all the fired feds himself. He seems to have plenty of time on his hands to write asinine memos. How about he gets some real work to do.

+million. Fine. Fire us all. See how well the govt runs then. Grants will dry up. Services will shut down in communities. And when they sign a short term cr who will run all the programs funded if they fire half the govt? I seriously hate these people. They treat us with such disdain. Fire everyone and run the government yourself then you POS.

But that's the thing, they never shut down the entire federal government. They still keep the SS checks running, the VA hospitals open, etc. The public doesn't feel the pain because the most public jobs are still getting done. I don't think one SS check should go out during a shutdown.

THIS! Clinton made a tragic miscalculation in allowing SS checks to go out the first time Republicans pulled this stunt. Gingrich lost the battle but might be on the verge of winning the war.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So this shutdown could be normally furloughed employees are essentially never coming back?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/white-house-mass-firings-government-shut-down

This is cute. It’s clear that Federal workers are not a priority for Democrats, so this really won’t work as a scare tactic. It will look bad for Dema to sacrifice ACA subsidies for low income Americans to save the jobs of Feds with solid benefits.

You are blaming Dems when the GOP holds the House, Senate, and the WH?

Not blaming Dems, just saying as a strategy “ Nice executive branch you got here; it would be a shame if something happened to it.” is not as useful in current conditions as it will further erode the Democratic alignment with the working class.

The Democrats will fold 💯 as they always do but this argument that they have to be weak in order to show the working class they care about them makes no sense whatsoever. Working class people do not care if the federal government stays open. They see themselves as receiving nothing of value from the federal government. A shutdown where they are disabused of that view is not actually going to change their minds, unfortunately.

It’s amazing how, after having six months to strategize, Ds still have their position and messaging laid out in a way that a threat like this can divide any unity. Whats it going to take to become a viable party? Don’t we as a country deserve at least one? I’m tired of cults. I guess Rs get to govern because one big cult overwhelms a bunch of little ones?

R's get to govern for as long as the Ds remain incompetent, which looks like it will be forever.

The play here will be either every fed will be declared essential and forced to work without a paycheck, or all nonessential feds are fired. In either case, Trump will say that the Ds caused this pain to the feds because they are the ones who refused to sign the bill and caused the shutdown.

It's so easy to flip the script here and tell people what's really going on, but the Ds won't be able to do that because they are stupid. So Trump wins, and we either will work with no paycheck, get fired, or Ds cave. All bad options.

In that case, the OMB memo was a huge mistake. They don't want agencies to declare people essential and really mean it, as that hurts their ability to come along with further cuts. But they also aren't going to get agencies to actually do large-scale RIFs. Besides not being able to do it in a way that wouldn't get reversed by the courts, most agency heads don't actually want to destroy their own agency. They might want to change it, but not destroy it. And they already had a chance to get rid of the parts they didn't like.

[Anonymous]

given half a year to plan, it cant outsmart the administration to form a winning position/message?

They can’t agree on a message, plus there is no one remotely compelling in the Senate minority caucus. And health care has never been a winning message even if it is critical and a bunch of people are about to lose it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They might be doing mass firings if there is a shutdown. What a mess:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/24/white-house-firings-shutdown-00579909

I want this to happen, and both my DH and I are feds. I am so sick of Trump thinking this is a game. Let him fire everyone. I am very sure we will all be brought back like they are doing to GSA right now because they won't be able to find people to do the work he actually needs to get done.

+1. I want Voight to do all the work of all the fired feds himself. He seems to have plenty of time on his hands to write asinine memos. How about he gets some real work to do.

+million. Fine. Fire us all. See how well the govt runs then. Grants will dry up. Services will shut down in communities. And when they sign a short term cr who will run all the programs funded if they fire half the govt? I seriously hate these people. They treat us with such disdain. Fire everyone and run the government yourself then you POS.

But that's the thing, they never shut down the entire federal government. They still keep the SS checks running, the VA hospitals open, etc. The public doesn't feel the pain because the most public jobs are still getting done. I don't think one SS check should go out during a shutdown.

That's lose-lose, since there would be pressure to just pass a funding bill for SSA.

[Anonymous]

We haven’t had any rifs in my medium sized agency.