White House sends mixed messages on layoffs during government shutdown

The White House on Wednesday sent mixed messages about upcoming firings as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. Last week, the Trump administration threatened mass layoffs of some federal workers during the shutdown. On Tuesday , President Donald Trump threatened that "a lot" of federal workers may get fired in a shutdown. Speaking at the White House press briefing just one day later, Vice President JD Vance downplayed the likelihood of layoffs, telling ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce that "no final decisions have been made." Just moments later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Reductions in Force (RIFs) are happening "soon." Leavitt declined to specify what departments or workers would be targeted, or what percentage of the workforce will be fi