WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The Trump administration is now telling federal agencies to prepare for mass firings of federal workers if Congress cannot strike a deal to avert a government shutdown by next week.

In a memo, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) told the agencies to prepare for permanent reduction-in-force plans during a potential government shutdown, which may come if lawmakers on Capitol Hill do not pass a government funding bill by the Sept. 30 deadline.

The move comes as congressional Democrats and Republicans have been stuck at an impasse and just after President Donald Trump canceled a meeting with leaders on the left to negotiate a deal.

Democrats have claimed the White House’s plan is about intimidation.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries went after

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