As the looming threat of a government shutdown intensifies, the Trump administration has issued a memo directing federal agencies to prepare for potential mass layoffs, a move that has sparked fierce backlash from Democratic leaders. With the White House asserting that the consequences of a shutdown could include significant job cuts, Democrats refuse to compromise, condemning the tactics as intimidation and ‘mafia-style blackmail’. Meanwhile, some analysts suggest that the threat to fire federal workers might inadvertently bolster Democratic resilience during negotiations. As both sides dig in their heels, the clash over the budget continues to escalate, raising concerns about the impact on federal employees and the broader economy.