'I'm absolutely terrified': Federal workers brace for potential government shutdown, mass layoffs

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Sep 27, 2025, 5:00 AM ET


Federal employees from agencies across the US government say they’re “terrified,” “disoriented” and filled with anxiety as they brace for a possible shutdown that the Trump White House has threatened will pave the way for new rounds of fast-tracked mass layoffs.

There is widespread confusion and fear among federal workers as the Tuesday night deadline approaches for Congress to approve a spending package, according to more than a dozen employees from 11 federal agencies who spoke to CNN. Many are still waiting to find out who will be required to work through a shutdown — and who will be furloughed.

Complicating matters, the White House budget office has directed federal agencies to “use this opportunity” to prepare sweeping new layoffs, based on which programs lose funding in the event of a shutdown and which don’t align with President Donald Trump’s priorities, according to a memo obtained by CNN.

“I’m absolutely terrified about going through the same thing all over again,” said one federal worker who was fired and rehired this year as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts. “This kind of treatment is inhumane. I don’t even know how to prepare for the complete unknown.” The federal employee, like many others who spoke to CNN, insisted on speaking anonymously because they feared retribution by the Trump administration. “My employer doesn’t have my back,” the employee said.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/27/politics/government-shutdown-federal-workers-layoffs-fear

[Bayard]

1. I feel bad for these employees

They are caught in a battle between good and evil.

On a personal note:

"During a government shutdown, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. This can lead to delays when trying to process claims. Additionally, customer service wait times have increased significantly during previous shutdowns."
And:
"Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months."

[intrepidity]

2. Thanks for that

But after 4 months...?

[Pas-de-Calais]

3. Retired Fed here

Dear leader had shutdown his first time in office. This time may be longer and worse.
He’s a viscous little man with no remorse.

Hang in there current Feds. You will get payback once it is over. Hopefully.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. After that last shutdown that he triggered -

and it was the same situation as now - a trifecta of GOP President and both chambers of Congress, it was the longest contiguous shutdown in history (I think 35 days). I had thankfully retired 2 weeks into his first term and the shutdown came at the end of that year (over stupid shit like border wall funding ).

But when Democrats took back some control in 2018, we were able to get a law (I think as a rider on an appropriations bill) that guaranteed back pay, because the GOP had been huffing and puffing about that (although that didn't apply to contractors, who were SOL).

[Deep State Witch]

5. Same Here

Part of the reason that I retired early was that I got tired of being used as a political football.