US government shutdown enters second day, Trump pushes for cuts

New Delhi, Oct 2: The US government shutdown has entered its second day, with President Donald Trump urging Republicans to use the crisis to “clear out dead wood” and cut what he called “Democrat agencies,” the BBC reported. Trump said the shutdown presented an “unprecedented opportunity” to reshape the federal government.

The White House warned that mass layoffs of federal employees were “imminent” and could result in permanent job losses.

In a shutdown, the White House and Office of Management and Budget decide which parts of the executive branch remain operational. Thousands of federal workers have already been placed on unpaid leave. Democrats and Republicans continue to trade blame over the deadlock, with little sign of compromise. The next vote on ending the impasse is not scheduled until Friday, according to the BBC.