Raskin Statement on Trump Administration's Threat to Continue Mass Firings of Federal Workers During Potential Republican Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's threat to continue mass firings of federal workers during a potential Republican government shutdown:

"After illegally sacking tens of thousands of federal workers, Donald Trump's now trying to use the livelihoods of the ones who remain as coercive leverage while refusing to come to the table and hold serious government funding negotiations with Democratic leadership. Trump has spent his time in office dismantling the federal civil service and destroying the critical programs that Americans rely on. His lawyers should tell him that a shutdown gives the administration no additional legal authority to justify the lawless dismissal of federal workers.

"Democrats won't be intimidated into supporting MAGA's government funding proposal which does nothing to protect the health care millions of Americans need. If Trump is truly the greatest negotiator in the world, then he should have no objections to joining with Democrats, who are ready to talk, to keep the government open. What's the president afraid of?"

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Permalink: https://raskin.house.gov/2025/9/raskin-statement-on-trump-administration-s-threat-to-continue-mass-firings-of-federal-workers-during-potential-republican-government-shutdown