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

Federal employees across numerous U.S. government agencies are expressing fear, confusion, and anxiety as they prepare for a possible government shutdown. The Trump White House has warned that such a shutdown could lead to new rounds of rapid, large-scale layoffs, leaving many workers uncertain about their futures.

### Anxiety Builds as Shutdown Deadline Approaches

With the Tuesday night deadline looming for Congress to approve a spending package, more than a dozen federal employees from 11 different agencies shared their concerns with CNN. Many are still awaiting clarification on who will be required to work through a shutdown and who will face furloughs.

Adding to the uncertainty, a memo obtained by CNN reveals that the White House budget office has directed agencies to use the shutdown as an opportunity to prepare for sweeping layoffs. These cuts would be based on which programs lose funding and which don’t align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

“I’m absolutely terrified about going through the same thing all over again,” said one federal worker who was fired and then rehired earlier this year amid cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency. “This kind of treatment is inhumane. I don’t even know how to prepare for the complete unknown.”

Many employees spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retaliation from the administration. “My employer doesn’t have my back,” one said.

### Administration Blames Democrats for Shutdown Threat

In response to CNN’s inquiries, a senior Trump administration official blamed Democrats for the potential shutdown. “It’s unfortunate that Democrats have decided to instigate a government shutdown by opposing a clean government funding extension. Their unreasonable and insane demands, like healthcare for illegal aliens and funding for NPR, will be directly responsible for this outcome,” the official stated.

Negotiations have reached a stalemate. Congressional Democrats demand that any funding deal include an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, among other priorities, which Republicans have resisted, especially concerning a short-term funding extension.

### A Tumultuous Year for Federal Workers

The looming shutdown is the latest challenge for many federal employees after an already tumultuous year. Trump and the Elon Musk-backed DOGE team have initiated an unprecedented wave of mass firings across government agencies. Some layoffs were so abrupt that agencies scrambled to rehire employees. Others were ruled illegal by federal judges who ordered reinstatements, only for appellate courts to later overturn those decisions.

One Department of Interior employee expressed feeling “disregarded and abandoned” amid these threats. “I’ll go home today and take stock of my budget and pantry to make sure my family can ride out the next month or more of whatever is coming,” she said. “Then tomorrow, I’ll get up and come to work and do my best for America until they tell me I can’t come to work anymore.”

### IRS Faces Potential Backlog Amid Staff Cuts

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has already suffered a 25% reduction in staff this year due to layoffs and buyout offers. Alex Berman, a Philadelphia-based IRS employee and local leader for the National Treasury Employees Union, described a “constant state of fearful uncertainty” among workers.

“This shutdown threat feels different than past years,” Berman said. “The added complication is that this might be used as a pretext to tell people that they don’t have a job anymore — and that isn’t how the system is supposed to work. Federal employees are largely middle class. We’re wondering if our families will have a Christmas this year.”

Even if the threat of layoffs is merely “gamesmanship to try to bring the parties to the negotiating table,” Berman says it is still causing serious anxiety among federal workers.

Lorie McCann, president of the NTEU’s Chicago chapter representing IRS employees, warned that a shutdown could delay taxpayer services. “It could cause a backlog for IRS employees processing tax returns for the more than 1.3 million Americans who requested extensions this year,” she explained. The filing deadline for these returns is October 15.

McCann also noted that implementing tax law changes from Trump’s signature legislative bill — dubbed the “big beautiful bill” — would become more difficult. “Federal employees want to do their jobs, but it’s hard to do your job when you’re scared,” she said. “We are your neighbors, your friends, or family members. We’re not all in DC. We want to do the jobs we were hired to do.”

### Financial Strain on Federal Employees

An air traffic controller from Michigan described the looming shutdown as an added stress to an already high-pressure job. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasizes the importance of focus on the job, but now “pay is the biggest distraction,” he said.

During the historic 35-day shutdown from December 2018 to early 2019, the controller had to borrow money from his parents and rely on community food donations to support his family. With his family growing, he has cut out discretionary spending over the summer to save for a possible shutdown this fall.

“This puts a huge strain on me and my family,” he said. “With a career that already is one of the most stressful jobs, let’s just add a huge amount more stress on top of that.”

The 2018-2019 shutdown only ended after staffing problems caused temporary closures at some of the East Coast’s busiest airports, and workforce shortages remain at the FAA.

### Correctional Officer Faces Tough Choices

Dave Demas, a correctional officer at the US Penitentiary Canaan in Pennsylvania, is considering a personal loan to cover car payments and rent if the shutdown extends. As president of the American Federation of Government Employees chapter representing Bureau of Prisons staff at the facility, he is also worried about maintaining his family’s normalcy.

“We’re going to do our best to keep our daughters’ lives running the same with gymnastics, dance classes, and piano,” Demas said. “But mine might change drastically.”

### Disorientation at the General Services Administration

An employee at the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal real estate and procurement, shared feelings of renewed anxiety due to the possible shutdown and layoffs. After serving more than 20 years in the military and regaining some confidence in job security this year, the employee is now exploring less stressful private-sector opportunities.

“It’s very challenging to stay motivated on this career path,” the employee said. “It’s just too much mentally.”

Despite a recent “all-hands” meeting at GSA, senior officials did not address questions about the shutdown, leaving employees frustrated. Submitted questions included: “How does being publicly threatened with a mass and permanent furlough tell me I’m ‘deeply valued’ in this organization?” and “Are our jobs safe or are we getting RIF-ed anyway?” (referring to reductions-in-force).

A second GSA employee described the situation as “incredibly disorienting,” with “all the confusion and noise making it almost impossible to think clearly.”

The GSA’s funding comes from the Federal Buildings Fund, which in past shutdowns has allowed employees to work until funds ran out — usually lasting a few days to two weeks.

### Uncertainty Across Agencies

At the Department of Education — which the Trump administration is attempting to eliminate entirely — employees say they remain on edge. One worker told CNN that colleagues are “at a loss to understand and predict” what comes next, and no agency-wide guidance has been issued regarding the possible shutdown.

Similarly, NOAA employees, who faced mass layoffs and subsequent rehiring earlier this year, report hearing very little from leadership. One source described the atmosphere as fraught with anxiety, especially as hurricane season progresses, with Hurricane Humberto active in the Atlantic and another storm expected to impact the U.S. soon.

### Some VA Medical Facilities Communicate Proactively

In contrast, some Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities have issued clearer communications. A healthcare provider at a VA hospital said staff were informed that medical care would continue for veterans and that employees could expect pay during the shutdown, though threats of potential layoffs were not addressed.

### Contractors Also in Limbo

Contractors face their own uncertainties. Bonita Williams, who cleans offices at the State Department headquarters in Washington, DC, said she did not lose work during previous shutdowns but is unsure what will happen this time.

“Last time, it was a struggle for me,” Williams shared. “My children work for the federal government, so if they are furloughed, I’m going to have to give my kids money. Some of them went to food banks.”

Unlike federal employees, most contractors do not receive backpay after a shutdown ends. “I can’t prepare,” Williams said. “I’m living paycheck to paycheck.”

—

As negotiations continue and the shutdown deadline draws near, federal workers are anxiously awaiting news that will determine their financial stability and job security amid ongoing political battles.
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