Trump warns of ‘substantial’ permanent job losses if government shutdown continues

President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that a “significant” number of jobs would be permanently lost if the government shutdown continues, as he criticized the Democratic Party for having “no leader.”

Trump, speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, said: “We have a lot of things that we are going to eliminate and eliminate permanently.”

“I will be able to tell you that in four or five days, if this continues… If this continues, it will be substantial. And a lot of these jobs will never come back. But in fact, you will be much closer to a balanced budget,” Trump added.

The president blamed Democrats for the government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. ET last Wednesday.

Trump says government shutdown layoffs ‘up to par’ with Dems as standoff continues

President Donald Trump said Tuesday, October 7, 2025: “I just don’t know if (Sen. Chuck) Schumer has any power left. » (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP; Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

“Through the shutdown, which I think they made a big mistake, we are able to eliminate billions and billions of dollars of waste and fraud and abuse,” Trump said Tuesday.

Trump described Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought as a “serious, very serious person.”

“And he’s sitting there, and he’s getting ready to cut things. And that’s something that was conveyed to us, I guess, by (Senate Minority Leader Chuck) Schumer. I don’t know if Schumer has any power anymore,” Trump continued. “I look at your leadership. I don’t know who to talk to. I’ll tell you, I’m getting calls from Democrats wanting to meet. I’ve never heard their names before…the Democrats don’t have a leader.”

“They remind me of Somalia,” Trump added. “You know, I met with the president of Somalia. I talked to him about the problem, this guy, and I said, ‘You have someone from Somalia telling us how to run our country. She’s from Somalia. Would you take her back?’ He said, “No, I don’t want her.” » Okay. You know who I’m talking about.”

Trump appears to have indirectly referred to progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., as he has claimed in the past that the Somali president does not want the congresswoman to return to her home country.

WHITE HOUSE SAYS FEDERAL LAYS COULD REACH “THOUSANDS” BEFORE TRUMP, VOUGHT MEETING

A sign reading “Closed Due to Federal Government Shutdown” is seen outside the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, Monday, October 6, 2025. (AP/José Luis Magana)

At the start of the shutdown, federal agencies sent workers home in roles not considered essential.

These leaves are temporary. Once Congress resolves the impasse, employees typically return to work and receive back pay.

President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AP/Evan Vucci)

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This time, however, the Trump administration has warned that some furloughed workers may not return, turning a routine disruption into a potential blow to an already fragile labor market.

Amanda Macias of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.