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Massive firings of government workers have commenced, as GOP legislators apply influence on Democrat counterparts to end a federal closure. The administration's financial office described the reductions as “substantial,” with labor groups for government employees taking the matter to court. The president remarked that the employment cuts “will be a lot” and implied that those losing jobs would be in regions that were “Democrat oriented.”

White House Declares Government Employee Reductions

The executive branch revealed staff cuts of government employees on Friday, fulfilling a warning it had made in reaction to the federal closure, which now appears likely to stretch into a consecutive third week. The head of the White House office of budget management wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the federal procedure to let employees go.

President Warns 100% Chinese Duties

The US president has vowed to enact further US tariffs of 100% on Chinese goods from the coming month, charging the Chinese government of “extremely aggressive” moves to limit exports of minerals required for American industry. Financial markets fell sharply after the US president rekindled open disputes with the Beijing administration, and raised the possibility of a further acrimonious commercial conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

National Guard Forces Spotted on Memphis Streets

Reserve troops were seen monitoring in Memphis for the initial occasion on Friday, as part of the president's disputed government initiative, amid intense legal challenges as he was blocked from deploying troops to the Illinois city and a judicial decision was awaited in Portland, Oregon.

MIT Rejects White House Plan to Overhaul Procedures

The MIT has emerged as the initial American university to formally reject a executive proposal that would overhaul academic policies in return for priority access to federal funding.

White House Criticizes Perceived Peace Award Omission

The executive office has condemned the peace prize panel's choice to award the Nobel peace prize to a candidate besides the US leader. “The Nobel committee proved they place political motives over peace,” wrote a presidential aide and director of communications.

Other Happened Today:

• The chief executive had what he has characterized as a “biannual health exam” at the Walter Reed national military medical center.
• Up to forty US academics have been fired or disciplined after rightwing efforts targeted their comments on an assassination, causing a “atmosphere of fear” on university grounds.
• Prominent New York Democrats have rallied in support of a state official a 24 hours after she was charged on mortgage fraud allegations by a government lawyer appointed by the administration.