Trump warns of shutdown as White House threatens mass firings | News

WASHINGTON, Sept 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump warned Thursday that a government shutdown was looming, as the White House raised the stakes in a clash with Democrats by threatening mass federal firings. Republican Trump is in a tense showdown with congressional Democrats to agree on spending plans ahead of a fiscal deadline of midnight on September 30, after which key services will be cut. "Could be, yeah," Trump told reporters when asked in the Oval Office if a shutdown was likely. "Because Democrats are crazed, they don't know what they're doing." The White House earlier ordered government agencies to prepare for layoffs that would go beyond the usual practice of temporary furloughs during government shutdowns. In a...