The White House on Monday backed off U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that government employees were being laid off "right now" due to the shutdown, but warned that job losses could result if Congress does not restore federal funding.
In the shutdown's sixth day, the Trump administration continued to raise the specter of mass firings, though none appeared to be forthcoming. Previous shutdowns have not forced the government to fire any workers, though hundreds of thousands are typically told not to work.
Trump said on Sunday night that layoffs were taking place "right now," but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday he had been referring to those furloughed since Congress allowed funding to expire on Oct. 1. The White House budget office "is continuing to work with agencies on who, unfortunately, is going to have to be laid off if this shutdown continues," she said at a news briefing.
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