OMB Director Vought: "The RIFs (Reductions in Force) Have Begun"

The mass layoffs of Democrat Deep Staters begins.

President Donald Trump's administration on Friday afternoon announced that it has begun firing federal workers, OMB Director Russ Vought wrote on X.
"The RIFs have begun," Vought posted, on day 10 of the government shutdown, referring to reduction-in-force plans that the White House has long contemplated.
"Can confirm RIFs have begun and they are substantial," an OMB spokesperson told POLITICO. "These are RIFs not furloughs."
It's unclear how many people were laid off, and Vought provided no further details.
But an administration official granted anonymity to discuss the layoffs said they hit agencies including: Interior, Homeland Security, Treasury, EPA, Commerce, Education, Energy, HHS and HUD.
And Vought's post appears to follow through on a threat to inflict more political pain on Democrats.
Trump on Thursday said his administration would target programs backed by Democrats.
"We're only cutting Democrat programs, I hate to tell you, but we are cutting Democrat programs," the president said during a Cabinet meeting. "We will be cutting some very popular Democrat programs that aren't popular with Republicans, frankly."
...
In a memo to agencies two weeks ago, OMB instructed Trump administration officials to prepare to carry out reduction-in-force -- or RIF -- plans during the shutdown, targeting employees who work for programs that are not legally required to continue or clash with Trump's policy priorities.

I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown.

Active duty military personnel deployed in war zones will begin missing their paychecks this week.

Or, as Charles Schumer says, "Every day (of the shutdown) gets better for us."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is drawing fire from Republicans after declaring that "every day gets better for us" Democrats during the government shutdown, which dragged into its ninth day Thursday.
"Democrats couldn't care less whether military families miss a paycheck tomorrow. In an interview posted this morning, the Democratic leader said, 'Every day gets better for us,'" Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) fumed on the Senate floor.
"This isn't a political game. Democrats might feel that way, but I don't know of anybody else that does," he declared. "The longer this goes on, the more the American people realize that Democrats own this shutdown."
Thune cited a new Morning Consult poll that showed Democrats are getting more blame for the shutdown. The poll showed 43 percent of voters blamed Republicans for the shutdown while 38 percent blamed Democrats, but the number of respondents who blamed Democrats was up 6 points compared with an earlier poll.
Thune made his comments in response to Schumer's comments in an interview with Punchbowl in which he asserted: "Every day gets better for us."

Stop all welfare payments and pay the military instead.

Posted by: Ace at 03:37 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1
hello

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 03:38 PM (oKXMA)

2 Always back the strong horse.

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:38 PM (o1u+L)

3 The Day Of The Boot.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 10, 2025 03:38 PM (gKWVE)

4 Reduction is Fundamental.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (krQz2)

5 Can I hope all NGO funding is included in the stoppage, or nah?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (mlg/3)

6 hello
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 03:38 PM (oKXMA)
---
Somebody out-bladed the blade....

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (krQz2)

7 RIF? You say Reductions in Force. I say Reductions in Fucks.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (iFTx/)

8 But MSNBC just assured me that, "The Democrats are playing the shutdown perfectly!".

Posted by: The Lower Depths at October 10, 2025 03:40 PM (+b4rY)

9 Reduction is Fundamental.
Posted by: Axeman

I can't tell the differential.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:40 PM (mlg/3)

10 It's a start.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 10, 2025 03:40 PM (0N4FZ)

11 Or, as Charles Schumer says, "Every day (of the shutdown) gets better for us."
---
They really are pricks, aren't they?

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:40 PM (krQz2)

12
(rubs hands, waits for TikToks with crying brats)

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 03:41 PM (oKXMA)

13 There has been a distressing lack of noodage this Friday afternoon.

Posted by: Bulg at October 10, 2025 03:41 PM (77rzZ)

14 Can we just not have a military or a State Department? This will bring peace to the world, and besides, I don’t like paying for either.

Posted by: AoS Isolationists and Code Pinkers at October 10, 2025 03:41 PM (c44Rp)

15 LFG!

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (i24o9)

16 I don't think Schumer's burger reaches the cheese, IYKWIM.

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (o1u+L)

17 If Demomarxists are playing the shutdown perfectly then let's hope they keep winning and tje shutdown continues

Posted by: Skip at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (+qU29)

18 I’m sure plenty of blue state governments will be happy to hire those deep staters.

Posted by: Cow Demon at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (c44Rp)

19 Good. Good. Lay Off All Of Them Layabouts.

Keep going. Hopefully the shut down will last all of 2025-2026.. 2027 too.

Posted by: Buddy Going To Shut You Down at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (R/m4+)

20
Somebody out-bladed the blade....
Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (krQz2)

===============

Indeed, whatever The Blade had in his Ctrl-C memory waiting to be Ctrl-V'd in shall have to wait for another thread.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (oKXMA)

21
OK.

What RIFs?

I would like to hear about details from OMB.

Til then, I'll file it under "pronouncements with no evidence," because I'm not hearing any caterwauling from Our Frontline Bureaucracy Heroes Who Are In This Together With Us All During These Troubling Times.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (BI5O2)

22 The Conch Flyer's Conch Chowder is best.

Posted by: Zombie Jimmy Buffett, Biggest Lefty On The Beach at October 10, 2025 03:40 PM (R/m4+)

I like it. It is usually a bit rich to make a meal of it though. That might be the sherry.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (i24o9)

23 I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown.

=========

The objective is pain.

Make Democrat client groups suffer because that is what they've tried to do to Trump and his supporters for years.

Clean CR or nothing. Also, those jobs ain't comin' back.

Democrats are more likely to demand more Medicaid spending on illegals than trying to keep their low run help in the federal government employed.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (GBKbO)

24 I've been through so many layoffs, "downsizings", rifs, etc.. Is this the first one for the ruling class?

Posted by: banana Dream at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (3uBP9)

25 I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is.
---
As they have no sensory apparatus, they won't turn until they hit the wall.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (krQz2)

26 "I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown."

True. But rehiring them after they've been formally fired is a bigger ask than just the usual furlough bullshit where it's only temporary.

Plus, it's not "the Democraps" that must agree to end the shutdown. It's what -- another 7 of them -- that needs to be peeled off to get to 60. I think the more pain the GOP inflicts on the Dum's main constituencies, the easily it will be to find this 7.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (iFTx/)

27 DNC is funneling money to Hamas. Bank on it.

Posted by: qdpsteve at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (/p+XQ)

28 There has been a distressing lack of noodage this Friday afternoon.

Posted by: Bulg at October 10, 2025 03:41 PM (77rzZ)

Huh? Two threads I have been in have been promptly nooded.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:44 PM (i24o9)

29 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired. In a perfect world, they'd fire the deadwood, and believe me, everyone knows who the deadwood are. However, if I can't have that, I'll take termination of everyone working on specific programs selected by Trump.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 03:44 PM (Riz8t)

30 Somebody out-bladed the blade....
Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (krQz2)

===============

Indeed, whatever The Blade had in his Ctrl-C memory waiting to be Ctrl-V'd in shall have to wait for another thread.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (oKXMA)
____

This Blonde gets it ....

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (iFTx/)

31 26 True. But rehiring them after they've been formally fired is a bigger ask than just the usual furlough bullshit where it's only temporary.

Plus, it's not "the Democraps" that must agree to end the shutdown. It's what -- another 7 of them -- that needs to be peeled off to get to 60. I think the more pain the GOP inflicts on the Dum's main constituencies, the easily it will be to find this 7.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (iFTx/)

=======

Democrat voters are going to be screaming to end the shutdown before more get fired.

Democrat donors are going to screaming that it go on until illegals get preferred reimbursement rates at hospitals from Medicaid.

Trump will just keep weakening the Democrat Party institutionally as they bicker amongst themselves.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GBKbO)

32 Darth Orange Hater: Pray I don't alter the deal any further.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (i24o9)

33 Self-inflicted wounds bite.

Play commie games. Win commie prizes.

Vote for Democrats? #learntocode?

Posted by: setnaffa at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (h+GW/)

34 I don't think we're going to see another shutdown for years after this.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GBKbO)

35 Huh? Two threads I have been in have been promptly nooded.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder,

He misspelled boobage

Posted by: Kratwurst at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (qc6QX)

36 Hopefully the Dems won't be able to demand any conditions to end the shutdown. I wish there were some way to get paychecks to military families. Maybe we would tell them the government will pay them a 100% bonus on all late checks.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GPa4z)

37 "Active duty military personnel deployed in war zones will begin missing their paychecks this week."

Been there and missed paychecks during clinton and the shut downs then.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (0N4FZ)

38 Still not tired of winning

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (zjgNU)

39 DNC is funneling money to Hamas. Bank on it.
Posted by: qdpsteve at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (/p+XQ)

And the cartels are funneling money to the DNC.

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (o1u+L)

40 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 03:44 PM (Riz8t)
---
Trump is walking around naked and firing the first people in each group that fail to praise his fine new suit.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (krQz2)

41 Interesting... you know who still gets paid during a shut down?

Federal Judges...

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (mP0Kj)

42 True. But rehiring them after they've been formally fired is a bigger ask than just the usual furlough bullshit where it's only temporary.

Plus, it's not "the Democraps" that must agree to end the shutdown. It's what -- another 7 of them -- that needs to be peeled off to get to 60. I think the more pain the GOP inflicts on the Dum's main constituencies, the easily it will be to find this 7.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (iFTx/)

=======

Democrat voters are going to be screaming to end the shutdown before more get fired.

Democrat donors are going to screaming that it go on until illegals get preferred reimbursement rates at hospitals from Medicaid.

Trump will just keep weakening the Democrat Party institutionally as they bicker amongst themselves.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GBKbO)
____

Yea, but who blinks first?

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (iFTx/)

43 Justin Haywood last Moody Blues musician after Mike Pinder dead at 82

Posted by: SMOD at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (RHGPo)

44 24 I've been through so many layoffs, "downsizings", rifs, etc.. Is this the first one for the ruling class?
Posted by: banana Dream at October 10, 2025 03:43 PM (3uBP9)

Be nice if it were, but that's not what I'm seeing. I'm on furlough, because I took the buyout from Elon, so I'm considered "nonessential." I'm supposed to be paid until my retirement date at the end of December, but on furlough, I don't get paid. Seems a bit like a bait and switch deal. I may or may not get the missing pay when they open up again. Who knows?

But the people on furlough are the DA interns, and anyone who is already on LWOP or admin leave. The managers are all still working. I don't see that changing.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (urtE/)

45 Let's shut down NOAA. Hurricane season is more of less over and their prediction that "the Yankees will go all the way" was off.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (wBaIH)

46 "Every day the shutdown continues, it's better for us."

In what world is that a smart thing for a Democrat Senator to say?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (tT6L1)

47 DNC is funneling money to Hamas. Bank on it.
Posted by: qdpsteve

If I understand the analysis by multiple reports on the internets, the DNC is not at the top of the pyramid but somewhere on the side. Soros groups provide the seed-money, NGOs and others scooped up Fed grants and international funding, then dispersed funds back and forth with some of it being sent to the DNC. They may be the controlling institution, but they're not at the top.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (mlg/3)

48 40 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 03:44 PM (Riz8t)

=======

I've read that the list starts with people on furlough in six agencies (DHS, Education, HHS, Treasury, HUD and Energy).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (GBKbO)

49 Is it shadenboner time, because it feels like it is.

Posted by: Beartooth at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (8kRSk)

50 42 Yea, but who blinks first?
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (iFTx/)

=====

Not Trump.

He shut down the government for 35 days against his own party in his first term.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (GBKbO)

51 40 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 03:44 PM (Riz8t)
---
Trump is walking around naked and firing the first people in each group that fail to praise his fine new suit.
Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (krQz2)

He needs to bring them in front of a Board, with him on it.... where he could ask them a couple questions then tell them...

You're Fired... hell... televise it!

Why does this seem familiar???

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (mP0Kj)

52 "Active duty military personnel deployed in war zones will begin missing their paychecks this week."
---
Charles Schumer says, "Every day (of the shutdown) gets better for us."

I think Shroomer probably has to shave off his handlebar moustache daily, lest he be caught curling the ends of it.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (krQz2)

53 RIFS begin. Now Thune's gonna cry. Maybe Thune and Comey will fan dance the curtains... together.

Posted by: Kingsman at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (ehY6c)

54 Swell. I imagine acquaintances from my former federal employer (I am now retired) will be calling and saying that, since they have some time on their hands, they'd like to come visit. Think I'll schedule a trip back to Arizona.

Posted by: Paco at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (mADJX)

55 Punchbowl turd.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (HTa/G)

56 46 "Every day the shutdown continues, it's better for us."

In what world is that a smart thing for a Democrat Senator to say?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (tT6L1)

======

Chuck Schumer has always been a bad politician and caucus leader.

The only reason he got any clout as good at his job was because Mitch did it for him.

Fighting his own battles, Chuck puts cheese on uncooked hamburgers.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (GBKbO)

57 WTF is this BS poll with only 30% blaming D for the shutdown ?

Posted by: Going deep. Out. at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (URO9T)

58 I don't think we're going to see another shutdown for years after this.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GBKbO)
____

Yea, but you didn't think there would be a shutdown at all this time, and you like this movie called Propenis, so ....

I won't make predictions like this because politics is hard enough to predict, let alone when you're dealing with insane degenerates like the Democraps.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (iFTx/)

59 I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown.

-------

Easy.

"The answer is no. This is your albatross, and it will grow heavier until you take it off your neck. There will be no rehirings - period. Ever. There will only be more layoffs until you break. I'm holding a folder with 50,000 more names. You wanna find out what those names are?"

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (BI5O2)

60 You know who named their kid Adolf.

Posted by: J. Random Moron

Mr. and Mrs. Meat Tenderizer?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring! at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (L/fGl)

61 Charles Schumer says, "Every day (of the shutdown) gets better for us."

Let them eat cheeseburger tartare!

Posted by: Chuck Schumer at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (sKqQm)

62 LFG!
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (i24o9)

I know what this means today, but after years of playing MMORPGs in the early aughts, my brain can only read "Looking for Group"

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 10, 2025 03:49 PM (zjgNU)

63 Darth Orange Hater: Pray I don't alter the deal any further.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (i24o9

Begun, the RIFs have?

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:49 PM (o1u+L)

64 Chuck Schumer has always been a bad politician and caucus leader.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (GBKbO)
---
Not to mention grill chef.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:49 PM (krQz2)

65 Yea, but who blinks first?
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (iFTx/)

=====

Not Trump.

He shut down the government for 35 days against his own party in his first term.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM (GBKbO)
_____

That I know. I mean between Dum voters and Dum donors.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:49 PM (iFTx/)

66 58
Yea, but you didn't think there would be a shutdown at all this time, and you like this movie called Propenis, so ....

I won't make predictions like this because politics is hard enough to predict, let alone when you're dealing with insane degenerates like the Democraps.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (iFTx/)

=====

Republicans are afraid of shutdowns because the NYT will blame them for it.

Democrats aren't afraid of shutdowns because the NYT covers for them and they get everything they want.

If the NYT cover doesn't matter and Democrats lose instead of gain, there's no incentive for the tactic anymore.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (GBKbO)

67 It moved

Posted by: Unceldave at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (E+1ea)

68 Smaller government is not just a motto, apparently.

Posted by: Orson at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (dIske)

69 yum yum shit
yummy shit pebbles
in my mouth

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (p4uAH)

70 Every time Schumer mouths off, another 10,000 Dem operatives (a/k/a Fed employees) should get RIFfed.

Posted by: qdpsteve at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (/p+XQ)

71 Would Trump veto a budget bill to keep the bal rolling.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (/lPRQ)

72 65 That I know. I mean between Dum voters and Dum donors.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:49 PM (iFTx/)

======

Their voters don't matter.

Their donors are all the Democrat Party cares about.

Nancy Pelosi would feed a tranny and AWFL party to alligators in the desert personally before she told the SF monied class to fuck off.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (GBKbO)

73 This is an interesting test for Trump. Every Republican leader before him has folded over a shut down fight. But Trump also choose about the best grounds to have it over - should the government give illegals free healthcare?

And he picked a good time to have it - any negative economic impacts will be forgotten by next summer, and any real spending cuts he gets out of it will help the economy in some small measure

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (sKqQm)

74 Smaller government is not just a motto, apparently.

Posted by: Orson at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (dIske)
---
What's a motto?

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (krQz2)

75 Trump and/or Vought can direct the military be paid. Declare them essential, if for some ungodly reason they're not already. NOAA's National Weather Service, the FAA's ATC and a host of other "service" oriented agencies are, in fact, funded now and for the foreseeable future. And, IIRC Social Security checks and some Welfare payment are automated, so those will continue as long as there's money, regardless whether employees are there or not.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (Q4IgG)

76 RIF? You say Reductions in Force. I say Reductions in Fucks.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (iFTx/)
---
Too late. I'm already all out...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (IBQGV)

77 Good. Good. Lay Off All Of Them Layabouts.

Keep going. Hopefully the shut down will last all of 2025-2026.. 2027 too.

Posted by: Buddy Going To Shut You Down at October 10, 2025 03:42 PM (R/m4+)

This guy gets it.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (i24o9)

78 69 yum yum shit
yummy shit pebbles
in my mouth
Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (p4uAH)

Oh noes, *800* whole points! *faints*.

Posted by: Thrawn at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (9Ovst)

79 And, IIRC Social Security checks and some Welfare payment are automated

The welfare payments seem likely the easiest target to turn off...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (sKqQm)

80 "I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown."

Yes, but then they'll sign the CR and have to let go of their $1.5T in demands...so Rs win fully...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (tOcjL)

81 I'd delay my SS to pay the military now. Easy to say when it won't happen but I really would if I could.

Posted by: Willie Nailer at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (EYmYM)

82 I was assured, earlier this week (and right here) that they couldn't do this until later. Can't read old comments, so I can't quote, but that's what I was told.

Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (s0JqF)

83
And, not only would I hold mass firings of thousands at a time over their heads, but once a deal was announced, and before the vote is taken - even if it's a 5 minute span - 50,000 get fired anyway as a final fuck-you-note.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (BI5O2)

84 So it begins

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (Ch4Qk)

85 Stop the EBT payments and the Blue cities will burn to the ground.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (ZmEVT)

86 >>> Active duty military personnel deployed in war zones will begin missing their paychecks this week.

What expeditionary forces do we have deployed now?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (/lPRQ)

87 RIF? You say Reductions in Force. I say Reductions in Fucks.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:39 PM (iFTx/)
---
Too late. I'm already all out...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 10, 2025 03:52 PM (IBQGV)
____

Yes, but my comment was a double entendre: "fucks" both as in "I don't give any" and "fucks" as in "reduction in gov't fucks" (ie, employees).

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (iFTx/)

88 When the wife was HR with the VA she had multiple hospitals that carried employees awol for months at a time, they just quit showing up for work and the managers just didn't want to do the work to get them fired. Those are the kinds of people that are being let go permanently. And their jobs will not be back filled once they are permanently furloughed, that billet will go away. If you could do without that employee for months on end then you did not need that employee.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (0N4FZ)

89 The optics on this are perfect for President Trump and terrible for Democrats.

The GOP can rightly tell everyone they voted to keep government open and Democrat voted against it.

The counter proposal nonsense is just that, nonsense, because the floor votes have been held to open government and Democrats refuse to do so.

People don't care about the long winded "reasons" Democrats are giving for the shutdown. For the average voter, this is simple, votes were held, the GOP said, "keep government open" and Democrats are saying, "no" but, here's the reason why, blah blah blah blah.

People stop listening after "no."

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (tT6L1)

90 75 Trump and/or Vought can direct the military be paid. Declare them essential, if for some ungodly reason they're not already. NOAA's National Weather Service, the FAA's ATC and a host of other "service" oriented agencies are, in fact, funded now and for the foreseeable future. And, IIRC Social Security checks and some Welfare payment are automated, so those will continue as long as there's money, regardless whether employees are there or not.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 10, 2025 03:51 PM (Q4IgG)

Essential doesn't get them paid - they already are essential...finding 2025 unused appropriations, or possibly the 2025 tariff money (not sure how that works) would...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (tOcjL)

91 RIF the MFs

Posted by: Joe Mama at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (2sMLA)

92 I think the Rs should find ways to get the military on board with the shutdown lasting indefinitely.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (GPa4z)

93 82 I was assured, earlier this week (and right here) that they couldn't do this until later. Can't read old comments, so I can't quote, but that's what I was told.
Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (s0JqF)

=======

They can only do it when they have to prioritize funding. It gets worse as the timeline goes on.

None of us have the accounting insight into when they were going to happen, but the reason the RIFs are starting now instead of Day 1 of the shutdown is because of that funding progress.

As detailed in the Antifediciency Act that gives the president authority to prioritize payments to keep the government solvent.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (GBKbO)

94 yum yum shit
yummy shit pebbles
in my mouth
Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at October 10, 2025 03:50 PM (p4uAH)

Oh noes, *800* whole points! *faints*.
Posted by: Thrawn

They're eating people in the Superdome!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring! at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (L/fGl)

95 I wonder if Trump knows illegal immigration is a killer issue for our side. Maybe he got lucky again....

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (o1u+L)

96 78:Thrawn

Troll trying to derail post subject. Must not be going well for the Left.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (51+s6)

97 yum yum shit
yummy shit pebbles
in my mouth
Posted by: Aliassmithsmith

-1.70% and still up 7% YTD. The horror. The horror...

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (mlg/3)

98 You're RIFED!!!!

Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:55 PM (o1u+L)

99 82 I was assured, earlier this week (and right here) that they couldn't do this until later. Can't read old comments, so I can't quote, but that's what I was told.

Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (s0JqF)

No, it doesn't go into effect for 30-60 days. All that is sent out are the notices that start the clock...in 29 days, they can be rescinded like they never happened...or not...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 10, 2025 03:55 PM (tOcjL)

100 "The answer is no. This is your albatross, and it will grow heavier until you take it off your neck. There will be no rehirings - period. Ever. There will only be more layoffs until you break. I'm holding a folder with 50,000 more names. You wanna find out what those names are?"
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 03:48 PM (BI5O2)
______________________________

I always wondered what would happen when a president who spent his whole life negotiating with unions would face a similar situation in Washington. The big difference is that dragging out the Union negotiation in private life meant lost personal money. In the public arena, the personal risks are minimal, and the targets of those RIFs are obligated to prove their worth. Which is problematic from their perspective.

Posted by: Orson at October 10, 2025 03:55 PM (dIske)

101 Stop paying congress until this is resolved.

Posted by: Joe Mama at October 10, 2025 03:56 PM (2sMLA)

102 Because it's Friday and I'm in a good mood, that's why.

https://is.gd/yftUC1

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 03:56 PM (Riz8t)

103 >>> If you could do without that employee for months on end then you did not need that employee.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (0N4FZ)

They fixed the glitch

Posted by: banana Dream at October 10, 2025 03:56 PM (3uBP9)

104 yum yum shit

Apparently Trump said something about China and tariffs and the weenies are all "OMG, what are we gonna do without cheap sh*t from China?" again.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 10, 2025 03:57 PM (3nLb4)

105 Lady just came on CNN to say that there was no violence in Portland when Trump sent the troops in.

Nice that they let us know that this is the "It's Not Happening" phase of this story.

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 03:57 PM (krQz2)

106 AI are people too!

Ohio legislature introduces law to ban people from marrying AI

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring! at October 10, 2025 03:57 PM (L/fGl)

107 No, it doesn't go into effect for 30-60 days. All that is sent out are the notices that start the clock...in 29 days, they can be rescinded like they never happened...or not...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 10, 2025 03:55 PM (tOcjL)
--------------

I think the notices started going out before Democrats shut down government. President Trump isn't stupid, He played the "here are the consequences if you do this" card. Democrats didn't believe him.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 10, 2025 03:57 PM (tT6L1)

108 I hate the fact that furloughed gov. workers get compensated full time at the end of all these. It is a long paid vacation for them.

It turns it into a game, where only the public suffers - those without savings to ride it out, those who need gov. services, etc.

I wish someone would take a stand - maybe demand that any compensation be only 1/2 pay for time off or something.

I private industry, a shutdown means no pay!

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at October 10, 2025 03:57 PM (2XDjn)

109 Not Trump.

He shut down the government for 35 days against his own party in his first term.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:47 PM

But...but...the left...TACO...*

*which will happen long after "fetch".

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 10, 2025 03:58 PM (Wnv9h)

110 Ace, did you see you got a shout-out in Ammo Grrl's final column?

https://is.gd/G8ql39

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at October 10, 2025 03:58 PM (PiwSw)

111 My schadenboner is growing in direct proportion to the size of the RIF. I hope they don't blueball me at the end.

Posted by: We have escaped orbit at October 10, 2025 03:58 PM (TbWk/)

112 I work for a defense contractor. We will be furloughed on Oct 27 if there is still a shutdown.

Posted by: Bitcoin Fixes Everything at October 10, 2025 03:58 PM (L9Ewk)

113 Archimedes, that would take more time than they have. They are axing yuge facilities in blue states.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 10, 2025 03:58 PM (ZmEVT)

114 > Essential doesn't get them paid - they already are essential...finding 2025 unused appropriations, or possibly the 2025 tariff money (not sure how that works) would...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (tOcjL)
----------
Well, the 160th SOAR was flying last night... training at Knox. Flew over the house at ~500 feet, balls to the wall. I'd presume there is "some" funding laying around otherwise they'd not be up here.

But... that was last night, so....

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 10, 2025 03:59 PM (Q4IgG)

115 Stop paying congress until this is resolved.
Posted by: Joe Mama at October 10, 2025 03:56 PM (2sMLA)

Of they passed legislation that says they continued to get paid .

Posted by: Willie Nailer at October 10, 2025 03:59 PM (EYmYM)

116 101 Stop paying congress until this is resolved.
Posted by: Joe Mama

Stop paying them until they balance the budget.
No, better-- require they kick in 10% of all personal assets every year unless budget is balanced.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at October 10, 2025 04:00 PM (2XDjn)

117 Lady just came on CNN to say that there was no violence in Portland when Trump sent the troops in.

-
There is no cannibalism in the Royal Navy!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring! at October 10, 2025 04:00 PM (L/fGl)

118 Trump will just keep weakening the Democrat Party institutionally as they bicker amongst themselves.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GBKbO)
____

Yea, but who blinks first?
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 10, 2025 03:46 PM (iFTx/)

Well, as we all know "Trump Always Chickens Out" like when he chickened out and bombed Iran, and when he chickened out and sent the National Guard after a judge said he can't.

So OBVIOUSLY Trump must be the one chickening out.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 10, 2025 04:01 PM (zjgNU)

119 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.

-------

https://tinyurl.com/3pjwjvr4

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:01 PM (BI5O2)

120 Hmmm... working without pay is either Slavery or indentured servitude.... both of which are illegal in the US.

If we do not pay the military, but they are still held to their contracts, is that not indentured servitude?

13th Amendment anyone? Is not Congress therefore taking a Civil Right under Cover of Law?

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:01 PM (mP0Kj)

121 RNC Research
@RNCResearch
Democrat Rep. Gwen Moore absurdly claims "Republicans own most of the media."

MOORE: "I appreciate CNN, but I'll tell you ... [Democrats] are hard pressed to get our message out.

https://tinyurl.com/zr4cby2w

Posted by: redridinghood at October 10, 2025 04:02 PM (NpAcC)

122 >>43 Justin Haywood last Moody Blues musician after Mike Pinder dead at 82

It's Hayward. And I can assure you that I am still very much alive. It's John Lodge who passed.

And I Know He's Out There Somewhere.

Posted by: Justin Hayward at October 10, 2025 04:02 PM (Y1sOo)

123 yum yum shit
yummy shit pebbles
in my mouth

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at October 10, 2025 04:03 PM (lYfsf)

124 Democrat Rep. Gwen Moore absurdly claims "Republicans own most of the media."

That's why the FNM flocked to center-left Bari Weiss right?

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 04:03 PM (sKqQm)

125 Vancouver board apologizes to TGD2S community for allowing Harry Potter event at local park

-
But what about the EIEIOs?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring! at October 10, 2025 04:04 PM (L/fGl)

126 @102 Sophie's a true beauty

Posted by: Ignoramus at October 10, 2025 04:05 PM (dtajH)

127
Vancouver board apologizes to TGD2S community for allowing Harry Potter event at local park

-----

The Godless, Dickless 2-Sexed?

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:05 PM (BI5O2)

128 It never surprises me when Leftists celebrate negative things happening to the country .

It's second only to the Left blaming America for anything negative happening in the rest of the world.

Posted by: Willie Nailer at October 10, 2025 04:06 PM (EYmYM)

129 But the people on furlough are the DA interns, and anyone who is already on LWOP or admin leave. The managers are all still working. I don't see that changing.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

MILCON and civil works are still working and getting paid as they funded through project funds and placement.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 04:06 PM (/lPRQ)

130 There is no cannibalism in the Royal Navy!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring!

Nor buggery!

HarRUMPh!

Posted by: Admiral Rachel Levine at October 10, 2025 04:06 PM (2sMLA)

131 We just started working of a project at the local government plantation. Haven’t heard anything

Posted by: Accomack at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (4qMiv)

132 127
Vancouver board apologizes to TGD2S community for allowing Harry Potter event at local park

Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel....

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (PiwSw)

133 From the B:

Letitia James Smooths Things Over By Sending Trump Heartfelt 'Sorry I Maliciously Prosecuted You' Card

buff.ly/8rVxCkq

Posted by: banana Dream at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (3uBP9)

134 126 @102 Sophie's a true beauty

And remarkably, she stays beautiful as she ages, without any PS (as far as I can tell).

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (Riz8t)

135

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (Riz8t)

136 "I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown."

You know what the fun part of demands on the part of the people feeling the pain are? Saying no.

Sure, we need ICE and the military to get paid but, otherwise, fuck 'em.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:08 PM (ExV1e)

137 Vancouver board apologizes to TGD2S community for allowing Harry Potter event at local park

Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel....
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at October 10, 2025 04:07 PM (PiwSw)
--
Trans-Gender Demisexual 2-Spirit community?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 10, 2025 04:08 PM (IBQGV)

138 119 I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.

They should give them all a citizenship test. Or one of those 1800s grammar school tests, and fire anyone who flunks.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at October 10, 2025 04:08 PM (2XDjn)

139 What if the September CPI number isn't available at the usual time?!!

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 04:09 PM (GPa4z)

140 WTF is this BS poll with only 30% blaming D for the shutdown ?
Posted by: Going deep. Out.

70% give R credit for it.
Most people are not against the shutdown.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 04:10 PM (/lPRQ)

141 Darth Orange Hater: Pray I don't alter the deal any further.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (i24o9)

https://youtu.be/31HaTbWONmQ

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:10 PM (ExV1e)

142 "We're only cutting Democrat programs, I hate to tell you, but we are cutting Democrat programs," the president said during a Cabinet meeting. "We will be cutting some very popular Democrat programs that aren't popular with Republicans, frankly."

-----------------------

That's what I voted for

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at October 10, 2025 04:10 PM (NtVYv)

143 Which one of the Democrap geniuses decided the CR was the place to demand illegal alien healthcare? They really don't care about their constituents. Wow.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at October 10, 2025 04:10 PM (cHNrw)

144 Silver is at $50.33. FML.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (9LmFm)

145 I honestly couldn't care less who exactly gets cut. "Programs Dems love but everyone else hates" can be roughly defined as "95% of federal government."

If the answer is "we have a list of 2.8m federal employees in an Excel sheet, and a random number generator is firing them at a rate of 1 per minute," I'm fine with that approach.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (BI5O2)

146 130 There is no cannibalism in the Royal Navy!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Going For the Brass Ring!

Nor buggery!

HarRUMPh!
Posted by: Admiral Rachel Levine

--------------
When I was a kid, I thought this was just a joke and Monty Python was just talking about cannibalism.

Only as an adult did I realize the joke was that they were referring tto sodomy.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (2XDjn)

147 Heh, Trump and his team wanted to fire more federal employees and were hampered by rules. Now the Ds are providing a work around to allow more firing.

I suppose I shouldn't be gleeful, my own job might end up cut since we get a slice of funding from NOAA. But I'm old. I might have to work like mad for a bit to sell this property and buy something in a more affordable state in the event but I feel like I'd be okay with that change although I'm not going to quit to make the change happen.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (kdHU2)

148 Can't make a small government omelet without breaking a million Democrat lay about eggs.

Posted by: illiniwek at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (vbXSk)

149 126 @102 Sophie's a true beauty

And remarkably, she stays beautiful as she ages, without any PS (as far as I can tell).

anymore, who knows, you never see anybody untouched

but yeah she's beautiful, way hotter than kate whats her name

Posted by: n at October 10, 2025 04:11 PM (Ez3Tb)

150 Na, na, na, na,
Hey, hey, hey
Goodbye!

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 10, 2025 04:13 PM (wVcYX)

151 Hopefully the Dems won't be able to demand any conditions to end the shutdown. I wish there were some way to get paychecks to military families. Maybe we would tell them the government will pay them a 100% bonus on all late checks.
Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (GPa4z)

I'd like to see an Amendment that the military pay appropriation must be completed before any civilian pay appropriation. Also, no permanent, automatic appropriations.

No money for Congress, no money for their staffers, no money for judges, until the troops get paid.

We could add Border Patrol and ICE to the list.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:13 PM (ExV1e)

152 You know what the fun part of demands on the part of the people feeling the pain are? Saying no.

Posted by: I used to have a different

-------------
Nah man. These goldbricking, featherbedding, flibberdicks are just setting up to claim "pain and suffering" and demand double time for all the time off.

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (2XDjn)

153 Was napping a half hour, didn't want to

Posted by: Skip at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (+qU29)

154 pay the active military with the tariff funds.

Posted by: gov'theretohelp at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (PfnFb)

155 The shutdown will end with no benefits for Illegals and a lot of permanently RIF'd federal employees.

A huge Own Goal by Schumer, no?

The Left, led by AOC, will demand ritual seppuku.

Posted by: Ignoramus at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (dtajH)

156 Darth Orange Hater: Pray I don't alter the deal any further.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 03:45 PM (i24o9)

https://youtu.be/31HaTbWONmQ

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:10 PM (ExV1e)

lol, thanks

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (i24o9)

157 I honestly couldn't care less who exactly gets cut. "Programs Dems love but everyone else hates" can be roughly defined as "95% of federal government."

If the answer is "we have a list of 2.8m federal employees in an Excel sheet, and a random number generator is firing them at a rate of 1 per minute," I'm fine with that approach.

I don't understand this attitude. We're not going to eliminate the entire Federal work force, so why wouldn't you want to get rid of the takers and keep the makers?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (Riz8t)

158 I'd like to see an Amendment that the military pay appropriation must be completed before any civilian pay appropriation. Also, no permanent, automatic appropriations.

No money for Congress, no money for their staffers, no money for judges, until the troops get paid.

We could add Border Patrol and ICE to the list.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

Exactly. Defense never takes a backseat to congress

Posted by: rickb223 at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (9LmFm)

159 I'd like to see an Amendment that the military pay appropriation must be completed before any civilian pay appropriation. Also, no permanent, automatic appropriations.

The only thing stopping the Rs in congress from breaking down spending bills by dept is a lack of will to do so.

Do the VA budget, then the DoD budget, and so on.

When you get to budgets that are just handouts to Dems, then you can offer significant cuts or just let them end...like HUD or the DoE...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (sKqQm)

160 In previous shutdowns, several of the local banks have offered short-term interest-free loans to military personnel (to be paid back when they finally get their paychecks).

This is a military town, so it makes good business sense to keep your customers happy in exchange for forgoing a week or two of interest.

I don't know what all is involved... likely just showing that Uncle Sam has been direct-depositing your military paycheck would be enough.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (qpyNK)

161 Oh my... Fed Judge in Chicago is now telling ICE what tactics they may or may not use... because some supposed Preacher got pepper sprayed.

Supremes need to shut down all this really blatant Judicial over reach.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (mP0Kj)

162 Seems logical that RIFs would not single out employees but must target positions. End a program, eliminate all positions assigned (whether Rep or Dem voter). Assume it must be mechanical to avoid hint of improper targeting.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (cHNrw)

163 That twit of a Governor of New York pulled $50 MILLION DOLLARS out of couch cushions a few months ago for some sort of BS legal protection for illegal aliens. If a nothing Governor can find $50 MILLION DOLLARS I'm going to guess that Trump and his team can find a way to send military families their paychecks without having to even speak to the Democrats?

Posted by: Crusader at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (TN0g+)

164 CNN-

Democrats say even missed paychecks for US troops won’t be enough to end shutdown alone

Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.

Posted by: redridinghood at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (NpAcC)

165 Choosy mothers choose RIF.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (63Dwl)

166 > I'd really like to know how they're selecting the people to be fired.
---------
Tenure, time in grade, position.

If there are two people doing the same job and one's been there 10 years and the other 20, the one with 10 years is canned. Assuming one stays.

I'm hoping both get canned and the job abolished. Abolishing jobs is what keeps people from coming back after a RIF... as there's no job to come back to.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (Q4IgG)

167 If I'm not mistaken there are something like 20 million+ government workers - state and federal. 20 million fucking plus! There is no fucking way that that many are needed to run the country. Especially with the way it is being run - with the exception of President Trump and his small band. Just off the top of my head it should be cut by half and I'm sure nobody would notice the difference.

Except maybe the non-English speaking illegal alien truck drivers getting CDL's from California. FFS!

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (vR0VG)

168 [M]ay I take this opportunity of emphasizing that there is no cannibalism in the British Navy. Absolutely none, and when I say none, I mean there is a certain amount, more than we are prepared to admit, but all new ratings are warned that if they wake up in the morning and find any toothmarks at all anywhere on their bodies, they're to tell me immediately so that I can immediately take every measure to hush the whole thing up.
---

Posted by: Axeman at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (krQz2)

169
Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.
Posted by: redridinghood at October 10, 2025 04:16 PM (NpAcC)

I hope we don't fold but I have a sinking feeling we will...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (VE6XX)

170 Stop all welfare payments and pay the military instead.

-----------------

Sees all the assets of every Domestic Terrorist Organization starting with the Soros', the DNC, the Democrat-Communist Party, & all of their members ... and pay the military & air traffic controllers instead.

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (6O/Zk)

171
Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.

Lefty levels of concerns:

Lefty elites > Government workers > Illegals >>>>>> Military members.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (sKqQm)

172 I'm pretty sure this never happened because I can't find it, but Scott Adams said that Bernie Sanders was against paying the troops because it would reduce Dem leverage in shutdown negotiations.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (GPa4z)

173 Dems are claiming that the Repubs are responsible for the shutdown, since they have the White House and Congress. But they previously said the Repubs were responsible when the Dems had Congress and the White House. Health Care for illegals is not popular

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (kUxzU)

174
I don't understand this attitude. We're not going to eliminate the entire Federal work force, so why wouldn't you want to get rid of the takers and keep the makers?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 04:14 PM (Riz8t)

Next to none of them are makers; most of the makers are private contractors, because fed employees are drones and CHUDS. Some number of them are necessary overhead, but making the case that they are "makers," is fucking laughable, and they could be easily replaced.

But to put it more simply: I hate the federal government and I don't care to hear any of their whining and special pleading.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (BI5O2)

175 *SEIZE (damn voice translation!)

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (6O/Zk)

176 >>> 161 Oh my... Fed Judge in Chicago is now telling ICE what tactics they may or may not use... because some supposed Preacher got pepper sprayed.

Supremes need to shut down all this really blatant Judicial over reach.
Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:15 PM (mP0Kj)

Is it the same bint who tried to block them from coming in at all? Odds she's got an underpaid cleaning lady and/or landscaper living in her house?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (ULPxl)

177 > and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.

I'm thinking of the Machiavelli quote to the effect that gold won't always get you good soldiers, but good soldiers can always get you gold.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at October 10, 2025 04:17 PM (qpyNK)

178 Drink up, shoot in
Let the beatings begin
Distributor of pain
Your loss becomes my gain

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (NtVYv)

179 That twit of a Governor of New York pulled $50 MILLION DOLLARS out of couch cushions a few months ago for some sort of BS legal protection for illegal aliens. If a nothing Governor can find $50 MILLION DOLLARS I'm going to guess that Trump and his team can find a way to send military families their paychecks without having to even speak to the Democrats?
Posted by: Crusader

theyre going to be fine

Posted by: n at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (8TNiP)

180 I hope we don't fold but I have a sinking feeling we will...

It was be a strategic mistake to do so...but every R leader previously has.

Let the government shut down until the next budget year...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (sKqQm)

181 Babylon Bee:

Letitia James Smooths Things Over By Sending Trump Heartfelt 'Sorry I Maliciously Prosecuted You' Card

Posted by: qdpsteve at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (/p+XQ)

182 What expeditionary forces do we have deployed now?
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (/lPRQ)

Portland, Chicago, ...

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (ExV1e)

183 Is it the same bint who tried to block them from coming in at all? Odds she's got an underpaid cleaning lady and/or landscaper living in her house?

Its a pool boy named Jose...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 10, 2025 04:18 PM (sKqQm)

184 "I don't understand this attitude. We're not going to eliminate the entire Federal work force, so why wouldn't you want to get rid of the takers and keep the makers?'

It might be that u work for the government. Spit ballin.

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 10, 2025 04:19 PM (s9EN2)

185 Hardest hit by these layoffs will be the software developers who create computer games like Solitaire...CandyCrush...etc. You know, the programs that government employees work diligently at mastering. While you're waiting to be served.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at October 10, 2025 04:19 PM (vR0VG)

186 Is it the same bint who tried to block them from coming in at all? Odds she's got an underpaid cleaning lady and/or landscaper living in her house?

nobody wants illegals for domestics, inside the house, the do not know what to do

Posted by: n at October 10, 2025 04:19 PM (W27yd)

187 176 >>> 161 Oh my... Fed Judge in Chicago is now telling ICE what tactics they may or may not use... because some supposed Preacher got pepper sprayed.

Should have used live ammo

Posted by: It's me donna at October 10, 2025 04:19 PM (VE6XX)

188 Stop all welfare payments and pay the military instead- Ace

I love you.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (W2Pud)

189 Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.

---------------

"3 YEARS OR BUST!"

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (6O/Zk)

190 I wonder if pron sites a seeing less traffic during shutdown?

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (s9EN2)

191 So, there are various programs set up to help military bridge the gap for these sort of events.

What about all the 17 intelligence agencies?!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 10, 2025 04:21 PM (ULPxl)

192 > 190 I wonder if pron sites a seeing less traffic during shutdown?
Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (s9EN2)

More, I would think. They're sitting at home with nothing better to do, right?

Not that most of them do a lot at work, but...

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at October 10, 2025 04:21 PM (qpyNK)

193 190 I wonder if pron sites a seeing less traffic during shutdown?
Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (s9EN2)

=======

"I ain't watchin' it, if I ain't gettin' paid for it!"
-Assistant to the Undersecretary of Internal Monitoring of Weevils, EPA

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:21 PM (GBKbO)

194
I hope we don't fold but I have a sinking feeling we will...
Posted by: It's me donna

===============

omg if we give (more) free healthcare to illegal aliens I'll vomit.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 10, 2025 04:21 PM (oKXMA)

195 I was assured, earlier this week (and right here) that they couldn't do this until later. Can't read old comments, so I can't quote, but that's what I was told.
Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (s0JqF)

There's lots of 'experts' online who've provided explanations of how the system works and when things can happen. Given that most of us wouldn't even know where to begin looking, it's understandable to have taken them at their word.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:22 PM (ExV1e)

196 >>> 161 Oh my... Fed Judge in Chicago is now telling ICE what tactics they may or may not use... because some supposed Preacher got pepper sprayed.

Should have used live ammo

Posted by: It's me donna at October 10, 2025 04:19 PM (VE6XX)

----------------

This is the way.

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:22 PM (6O/Zk)

197 Trump should announce, as Commander in Chief I cannot keep the US Army overseas if we are not paying them, so we need to start bringing the boys home.

Start with Germany... and Japan... and S. Korea (we don't need to be there, the S. Koreans would kick the holy shit out of the North).

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (mP0Kj)

198 #LearnToGetAJobInThePrivateSector

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (5yDGQ)

199 I wonder if Trump knows illegal immigration is a killer issue for our side. Maybe he got lucky again....
Posted by: ... at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (o1u+L)

He won the 2016 Republican primary pretty much on that issue. Cuz he was the only one who said close the border and deport.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (ExV1e)

200 The Manhattan Clam Chowder was excellent, delicious, as always. It was a little sweet, due to the fresh tomatoes I used being over the top sweet. But it was not insurmountable.

Leftovers are going to be excellent, once the flavors get to meld.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (i24o9)

201 195 I was assured, earlier this week (and right here) that they couldn't do this until later. Can't read old comments, so I can't quote, but that's what I was told.
Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at October 10, 2025 03:53 PM (s0JqF)

There's lots of 'experts' online who've provided explanations of how the system works and when things can happen. Given that most of us wouldn't even know where to begin looking, it's understandable to have taken them at their word.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:22 PM (ExV1e)

I guess we're supposed to... 'Trust the Plan'?

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:24 PM (mP0Kj)

202 Start with Germany... and Japan... and S. Korea (we don't need to be there, the S. Koreans would kick the holy shit out of the North).
Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (mP0Kj)

While that is true, North Korea is China's mad dog.

It's not North Korea we're worried about, in either SK or Japan.

So I'm opposed to removing our troops from there.

But Germany? Get them all home now.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 10, 2025 04:24 PM (zjgNU)

203 I'm hearing "tens of thousands"

Posted by: Rando Calrissian at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (FqkvB)

204 This has been needed for so long. I hope they manage to clean house well. There are so many embedded radical left revolutionaries

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (dfIr7)

205 If the Dems insist on $1.5 trillion for illegal alien healthcare, the Rs should agree only if the bill can be named The $1.5 Trillion for Illegal Alien Healthcare Act.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (GPa4z)

206 I would hope a records check of what everyone was doing the last 5 years

Posted by: Skip at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (+qU29)

207 -1.70% and still up 7% YTD. The horror. The horror...
Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (mlg/3)

So what happened at noon to spark the market-wide selloff? It wasn't very big and, no doubt, it'll recover in a few days. Was it just big money trying for a scary headline over the weekend?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (ExV1e)

208 203 I'm hearing "tens of thousands"
Posted by: Rando Calrissian at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (FqkvB)

=======

Roughly 95% of whom are loyal Democrat voters and donors.

Who may have something to say to Chuck Schumer.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (GBKbO)

209 I guess we're supposed to... 'Trust the Plan'?

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:24 PM (mP0Kj)

The white hats are on it.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:26 PM (i24o9)

210 #LearnToSayWYLFWT

( would you like fries with that )

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 10, 2025 04:26 PM (ULPxl)

211 Roughly 95% of whom are loyal Democrat voters and donors.

Who may have something to say to Chuck Schumer.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (GBKbO)

Still not tired.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 10, 2025 04:26 PM (zjgNU)

212 So I thought that the "Big Beautiful Bill" actually funded the military and Border Patrol, etc, so that they are not actually shut down?

Posted by: SimoHayek at October 10, 2025 04:26 PM (8wsga)

213 207 -1.70% and still up 7% YTD. The horror. The horror...
Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 10, 2025 03:54 PM (mlg/3)

So what happened at noon to spark the market-wide selloff? It wasn't very big and, no doubt, it'll recover in a few days. Was it just big money trying for a scary headline over the weekend?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (ExV1e)

=======

1. Normal selloff behavior.
2. Rumblings of new tariffs with China.

The idea that every day is up in a bull market is silly, of course.

The idea that the stock market is the economy is also silly.

GDP being 3.9% positive in Q2 is a better, though still not perfect, indication of where the economy is.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:27 PM (GBKbO)

214 I have a little bit of cash in a Roth IRA and don't mind the market roiling until I see a good insertion point.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 10, 2025 04:27 PM (GPa4z)

215 I'm hearing "tens of thousands"

Posted by: Rando Calrissian at October 10, 2025 04:25 PM (FqkvB)

Rylo Ken: MOar!

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:27 PM (i24o9)

216
I mean, seriously... 30% of my team got the axe out of nowhere last very recently. Good, hardworking people who showed up on time and busted their asses for the firm every day, got shown the door unceremoniously because a bean counter in Chicago wanted to reduce headcount before Q4 - and didn't much care who it was.

It's making my job much harder and I'm having to put in a lot of overtime standing in the breach - like everyone else who didn't get voted off the island.

This is life.

But my heart is supposed to weep for the goldbricking professional sundials in government who only move a muscle to beat off on the job or shit in the hallways. It is to laugh...

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:28 PM (BI5O2)

217 IIRC - If they wanted to, the GOP could always overturn the Senate filibuster rule and pass the CR on a majority vote. Filibuster isn't a Constitutional requirement, it's just a Senate rule.

But then, why would they?

Posted by: Seamus Moon at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (Ab/3c)

218 I can't think of a more disliked - if not outright hated - group of employees than smug, entitled government workers. Laying off/Firing them should be celebrated...hell, Trump could even name a Federal Holiday after the event.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (vR0VG)

219 Where's Labor on the list??

---
Read between the lines -

Make the Switch to E-Dues today and use a credit card, debit card, or bank draft - American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

They're getting theirs.
----
Social Security
"A beneficiary cannot receive a benefit verification letter from the telephone receiver or by walking in through their local Social Security office. And that burdens a lot of our recipients."

Beneficiaries can still access their verification letter online and through the Social Security Administration's automated phone system, the agency says. But during the shutdown, in-person support for the letters is suspended, and when recipients call in to speak with a field office representative, they can't get help with their letter.

But they CAN get their verification letters.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (NFX2v)

220 216
But my heart is supposed to weep for the goldbricking professional sundials in government who only move a muscle to beat off on the job or shit in the hallways. It is to laugh...
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:28 PM (BI5O2)

=======

Would anyone expect you to bitterly cry and change your voting behaviors based on the news that a manufacturing plant three states over shut down?

No?

Why would anyone expect the same from the government doing something similar?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (GBKbO)

221 I mean, seriously... 30% of my team got the axe out of nowhere last very recently. Good, hardworking people who showed up on time and busted their asses for the firm every day, got shown the door unceremoniously because a bean counter in Chicago wanted to reduce headcount before Q4 - and didn't much care who it was.

It's making my job much harder and I'm having to put in a lot of overtime standing in the breach - like everyone else who didn't get voted off the island.

This is life.

But my heart is supposed to weep for the goldbricking professional sundials in government who only move a muscle to beat off on the job or shit in the hallways. It is to laugh...

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 10, 2025 04:28 PM (BI5O2)

This is the way of the private sector. Always has been.

Welcome to the party, pals.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (i24o9)

222
I hope we don't fold but I have a sinking feeling we will...
Posted by: It's me donna

History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of man

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (63Dwl)

223 1. Normal selloff behavior.
2. Rumblings of new tariffs with China.

The idea that every day is up in a bull market is silly, of course.

The idea that the stock market is the economy is also silly.

GDP being 3.9% positive in Q2 is a better, though still not perfect, indication of where the economy is.
Posted by: TheJames

its the over representation of short term retail traders

Posted by: n at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (D9KJo)

224 China was going to embargo various rare-earth exports, I heard earlier this week.
Which might give us some short term pain but I think we have some reserves of our own in the USA. Coal ash is full of toxic mineral trash but those can be extracted by citric acid at manageable temperatures and pressures.
Alberta Oil Peon is better informed on this.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (gKWVE)

225 "I ain't watchin' it, if I ain't gettin' paid for it!"
-Assistant to the Undersecretary of Internal Monitoring of Weevils, EPA

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 10, 2025 04:21 PM (GBKbO)

---------------

Beau Biden died fighting for Weevils in a foreign land, H8Rs!

"Beau's Died Everywhere, Man ..."

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (3GXGk)

226 Congressional Democrats are privately preparing to hold their position in the shutdown standoff for several more weeks if Republicans do not agree to their health care demands – and not even a missed paycheck for US troops will force them to yield.

---------------

"3 YEARS OR BUST!"
Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:20 PM (6O/Zk)
>>>

Election Day 2025 is November 4.

Posted by: mrp at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (rj6Yv)

227 RIFs mean the person in question is technically fired. They will, no doubt, then have to seek other employment outside the federal sphere. The clock is then ticking - once they get hired elsewhere, they never come back. That means a whole new hiring process needs to start, and that can take months. And the Trump admin gets to decide who gets the new job, and what their duties will be.

This could, potentially weed out a huge number of lefties from the government.

Time is NOT on the side of the Dems on this.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (gDhA9)

228 I can't imagine Trump and company haven't planned to keep "their" essential services up and running.

Like ICE, the military, Federal LE, FAA, etc.

All it takes is an EO. And the judges that issue a TRO to stop funding those? That would be, interesting.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 10, 2025 04:31 PM (Q4IgG)

229 I can't think of a more disliked - if not outright hated - group of employees than smug, entitled government workers. Laying off/Firing them should be celebrated...hell, Trump could even name a Federal Holiday after the event.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at October 10, 2025 04:29 PM (vR0VG)

Carousel Day? Anyone 30% over the poverty line gets the axe.

You whine about it, and it becomes literal.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:31 PM (i24o9)

230 >>> 227 RIFs mean the person in question is technically fired. They will, no doubt, then have to seek other employment outside the federal sphere. The clock is then ticking - once they get hired elsewhere, they never come back. That means a whole new hiring process needs to start, and that can take months. And the Trump admin gets to decide who gets the new job, and what their duties will be.

This could, potentially weed out a huge number of lefties from the government.

Time is NOT on the side of the Dems on this.
Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (gDhA9)

Hmm...

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 10, 2025 04:32 PM (ULPxl)

231 Next to none of them are makers; most of the makers are private contractors, because fed employees are drones and CHUDS. Some number of them are necessary overhead, but making the case that they are "makers," is fucking laughable, and they could be easily replaced.

But to put it more simply: I hate the federal government and I don't care to hear any of their whining and special pleading.

It might be that u work for the government. Spit ballin.

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team

I used to. I'm not sure why that means you should simply flail about without thinking about the best way to accomplish a task, but u do u.

Yes, that's pretty obvious.

But my heart is supposed to weep for the goldbricking professional sundials in government who only move a muscle to beat off on the job or shit in the hallways.

No, you're supposed to use your head in thinking about the best way to improve the government.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 10, 2025 04:32 PM (Riz8t)

232 The Dems don't seem to be worried and Chuckie Schumer is positively gleeful... They think they are winning...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 10, 2025 04:33 PM (VE6XX)

233 Which might give us some short term pain but I think we have some reserves of our own in the USA. Coal ash is full of toxic mineral trash but those can be extracted by citric acid at manageable temperatures and pressures.
Alberta Oil Peon is better informed on this.
Posted by: gKWVE at October 10, 2025 04:30 PM (gKWVE)

Large rare earth mine was closed years ago in Calif due to 'environmental concerns'.

Mitigate.... open the F'er back up.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:33 PM (mP0Kj)

234 The Dems don't seem to be worried and Chuckie Schumer is positively gleeful... They think they are winning...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 10, 2025 04:33 PM (VE6XX)

If I was on the Trump team, I would float fake polls saying dems are winning, then sit back and enjoy the RIFs. Have some fun with it.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:34 PM (i24o9)

235 Too late to comment
I was out recycling

So- this is what the moral high ground looks like

Posted by: Don Black at October 10, 2025 04:34 PM (AOsQT)

236 The AI bubble might be popping.
AI "recruiters" are found to be useless at sifting out fake AI "job applicants" so humans are starting to involve themselves in recruiting again. Also as Pixy noted earlier this morn, AI slop code is trash such that companies need to hire humans to fix it.
Oh, and I can easily see governments locking AI server farms out of the electrical grid.
Back to drawing cartoon catgirls and grammar-checking prose, like in 2023.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 10, 2025 04:34 PM (gKWVE)

237 I think I remember reading a while back that China has numerous rare earth mining interests in Africa (as a quid pro quo for offering nations there money, goods, and/or services)?

Posted by: ShainS -- The All-American Halftime Show Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom at October 10, 2025 04:34 PM (3GXGk)

238 #LearnToGetAJobInThePrivateSector
Posted by: Curly Shuffle
.......

They would be expected to produce, fail, then get fired within two weeks.

Posted by: wth at October 10, 2025 04:34 PM (v0R5T)

239 nood

GAINZZZZ

Posted by: banana Dream at October 10, 2025 04:35 PM (3uBP9)

240 >> I don't know if this is the bargaining chip we've imagined it is. The Democrats will just demand that the layoffs be undone as their payment for ending the shutdown.

That’s not happening. The speaker and majority leader told them to reopen or this would happen. The only negotiation they’ve mentioned is a vote on a one year extension for the Obamacare subsidies, which is apparently kryptonite for all the weak ass Republican Congressmen

Posted by: Vengeance at October 10, 2025 04:35 PM (SEVUm)

241 >>>I used to.

Nailed it.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:35 PM (i24o9)

242 Don't take it personal.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 10, 2025 04:35 PM (i24o9)

243 told ya
too late

Posted by: Don Black at October 10, 2025 04:35 PM (AOsQT)

244 SELL! SELL! SELL!

Posted by: Jim Cramer - Investment Pro and Media Personality at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (v0R5T)

245 Think of all the federal bathroom time we are not paying for.

The costs would involve some math.

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (s9EN2)

246 There were no major OPM announcements today, but a recent article from Federal News Network discusses the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season, and a recent OPM news release from August 2025 provides guidance to ensure performance awards are targeted to top federal performers.

---
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
@USOPM
Today, OPM announced the 2025 Federal Benefits Open Season will be held from November 10 through December 8, 2025 and 2026 plans and premiums are now available for review. Read more:
Oct 9, 2025
------------------
Remember, Congress gets paid. It's never in shutdown mode.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (NFX2v)

247
Well, hell, just read this on Hot Gas. Melania and Putin have been in communication for a while since she had Trump deliver that letter.

Melania is getting some of the children taken back to Russian back to their families in Ukraine.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (w6EFb)

248 NOOD!!!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (ULPxl)

249 The Golden Scalp Weasel can sense a slacker all the way to Great Falls.

Posted by: DaveA at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (PMJuY)

250 129 But the people on furlough are the DA interns, and anyone who is already on LWOP or admin leave. The managers are all still working. I don't see that changing.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

MILCON and civil works are still working and getting paid as they funded through project funds and placement.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 10, 2025 04:06 PM (/lPRQ)

While it is true that USACE works for a living instead of taking money directly from Congress, that only applies to the civilians, I believe. The active duty aren't being paid that way. I'm pretty sure they aren't furloughed, either, and they are not subject to a RIF, while the civilians are subject to RIF. But of course the working folks never get the straight story until they are shown the door.

I signed a contract stating that I would be paid through December, but I'm not being paid. That's the government system in a nutshell.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 10, 2025 04:36 PM (urtE/)

251 "Sources" (yeah, I know) say that Bolton will be indicted on criminal charges next week.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at October 10, 2025 04:37 PM (qpyNK)

252 I would like to be the guy in the furniture store waiting on the self important GS12 demanding a Federal Employee discount. "Nah, we only give those to people with steady jobs".

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 10, 2025 04:39 PM (gm9Sb)

253 Oh my... Fed Judge in Chicago is now telling ICE what tactics they may or may not use... because some supposed Preacher got pepper sprayed.

I believe (not certain, but I believe) that video is AI. Someone linked it in the morning thread.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:40 PM (ExV1e)

254 Been through many RIFs and shutdowns, beginning with the Slick Willie era. Don't recall my mil pay being stopped, but maybe we were classified as necessary (shift workers. What, ya gonna hire civvies for double/triple the pay?).

Military and civilians in overmanned billets are usually given the option to retire early, if they have the time in.

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at October 10, 2025 04:41 PM (LmiMn)

255 217 IIRC - If they wanted to, the GOP could always overturn the Senate filibuster rule and pass the CR on a majority vote. Filibuster isn't a Constitutional requirement, it's just a Senate rule.

But then, why would they?
Posted by: Seamus Moon
=======
They don't even have to do that. Look up talking filibuster. Takes about a month of the Senate being in session.

Posted by: whig at October 10, 2025 04:43 PM (WDjG6)

256 Start with Germany... and Japan... and S. Korea (we don't need to be there, the S. Koreans would kick the holy shit out of the North).
Posted by: Romeo13 at October 10, 2025 04:23 PM (mP0Kj)

The South Korean military could kick the holy shit out of the North. The South Korean Parliament would welcome them with open arms.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:44 PM (ExV1e)

257 Congress and all congressional aides should not be getting a paycheck. I haven't read it in a while but I seem to remember one of the things in the Constitution had to do with the military. They should be the only ones getting paid.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 10, 2025 04:45 PM (QGLzn)

258 The idea that the stock market is the economy is also silly.

Sure, I'm just not used to the Dow, S&P, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all showing almost exactly the same trend line. All down... okay, whatever, but at exactly the same rate? Weird.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 10, 2025 04:47 PM (ExV1e)

259 Morning Consult is an absolute garbage pollster. The dems are underwater on this, and everyone knows it - especially Trump.

Posted by: Black JEM at October 10, 2025 05:05 PM (GZYu7)

260 I don't understand the logic of not being able to see who is responsible for the shutdown. It's whoever votes against the CR /Budget whether you agree with it or not.

Posted by: Willie Nailer at October 10, 2025 05:37 PM (EYmYM)

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