White House says to prepare for mass firings if govt shuts down

The White House has told US federal agencies to prepare for more mass firings during a possible government shutdown next week, according to a memo first published by US news outlet Politico.

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The memo by the White House Office of Management and Budget indicated that US President Donald Trump’s administration would go beyond the usual practice of temporary furloughs during previous shutdowns.

Sent to the US media on Sept 24, it instructed federal agencies to target programmes they are not legally required to continue.

“Programmes that did not benefit from an infusion of mandatory appropriations will bear the brunt of a shutdown,” the memo said, ordering agencies to submit their proposed staff reduction plans and notify employees.