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Massive terminations of US federal workers have begun, as Republican legislators work to exert influence on Democrat counterparts to resolve a government shutdown. The White House budget office characterized the reductions as “significant,” with labor groups for federal workers bringing the issue to litigation. The chief executive remarked that the employment cuts “will be a lot” and suggested that affected jobs would be in regions that were “leaning Democratic.”

Administration Announces Federal Worker Reductions

The White House announced staff cuts of government employees on Friday, fulfilling a warning it had issued in response to the federal closure, which now appears likely to extend into a third straight week. The director of the administration's office of budget management posted on social media that “RIFs have started,” indicating the federal process to terminate staff.

President Warns Total China Tariffs

The US president has vowed to enact additional American import taxes of 100% on China from next month, accusing Beijing of “extremely aggressive” moves to restrict shipments of minerals required for American industry. Financial markets dropped significantly after the American leader reignited public disputes with the Beijing administration, and raised the possibility of another acrimonious commercial conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

National Guard Troops Seen on Memphis Roads

Reserve troops were seen monitoring in the Tennessee city for the first time on the weekend's eve, as part of the administration's controversial government initiative, amid fierce legal challenges as he was blocked from deploying forces to Chicago and a court ruling was pending in the Oregon city.

University Declines White House Proposal to Revamp Policies

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has become the first US university to formally reject a presidential offer that would restructure university policies in return for priority access to government money.

White House Criticizes Alleged Nobel Peace Prize Omission

The White House has denounced the Norwegian Nobel committee's choice to award the Nobel peace prize to someone other than the president. “The Nobel committee demonstrated they place political motives over harmony,” stated a White House aide and director of public relations.

Other Occurred This Day:

• The chief executive had what he has characterized as a “semiannual physical” at the Walter Reed health facility.
• As many as 40 US academics have been dismissed or disciplined after conservative efforts targeted their comments on a violent incident, creating a “climate of fear” on university grounds.
• Prominent New York Democrats have rallied behind a state official a 24 hours after she was indicted on mortgage fraud charges by a federal prosecutor appointed by the administration.