Government Employees Confront Layoffs as Administration Threatens Beijing with Tariff Hikes
Widespread firings of US federal workers have begun, as Republican lawmakers work to exert pressure on Democratic counterparts to end a federal closure. The administration's financial office described the reductions as “substantial,” with labor groups for government employees bringing the matter to court. The chief executive commented that the employment cuts “will be a lot” and implied that those losing jobs would be in regions that were “Democrat oriented.”
White House Announces Federal Worker Layoffs
The White House announced layoffs of federal workers on Friday, making good on a threat it had issued in response to the federal closure, which now seems probable to extend into a third straight week. The head of the administration's office of budget management wrote on online platforms that “reduction-in-force procedures have begun,” referring to the government’s process to terminate staff.
Chief Executive Warns Total Chinese Duties
The US president has vowed to enact further American tariffs of 100% on Chinese goods from next month, accusing the Chinese government of “extremely aggressive” actions to restrict exports of minerals needed for US manufacturing. Wall Street fell sharply after the American leader rekindled open tensions with the Chinese government, and raised the prospect of a further acrimonious commercial conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
National Guard Forces Seen on Memphis Roads
Reserve troops were seen monitoring in the Tennessee city for the initial occasion on the weekend's eve, as part of the administration's controversial federal taskforce, amid fierce court battles as he was prevented from deploying forces to the Illinois city and a judicial decision was pending in the Oregon city.
University Rejects Administration Plan to Revamp Policies
The MIT has emerged as the first US college to formally turn down a presidential offer that would overhaul university policies in exchange for priority access to federal funding.
White House Criticizes Perceived Peace Award Snub
The White House has denounced the peace prize panel's decision to grant the Nobel peace prize to a candidate besides the president. “The award panel demonstrated they place politics over peace,” stated a White House advisor and director of public relations.
What Else Occurred This Day:
- The chief executive had what he has described as a “semiannual physical” at the military national military medical center.
- Up to 40 American academics have been fired or penalized after conservative campaigns targeted their remarks on a violent incident, causing a “atmosphere of anxiety” on campuses.
- Leading New York politicians have come together in support of a public figure a day after she was charged on mortgage fraud allegations by a government lawyer appointed by the president.
