The White House last week told federal agencies to begin preparing for mass firings if Congress does not pass a deal to avert a government shutdown.

The Trump administration’s plans to fire thousands of federal workers in the event of a government shutdown is akin to “mafia-style blackmail,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said.

Democrats accuse Trump of intimidation tactics after memo outlines much more aggressive step than previous shutdowns

The president attended a golf tournament in New York on Friday, with just four days left until the federal government shuts down.

The White House last week told federal agencies to begin preparing for mass firings if Congress does not pass a deal to avert a government shutdown.

Latest departures in Trump administration’s deferred resignation program come as Congress faces government shutdown deadline – key US politics stories from Sunday 28 September

“We don’t want it to shut down,” Trump said at the White House before the midnight deadline, but he was unable to strike a deal.

The number of federal employees has been trimmed by thousands since President Trump took office, according to contingency plans drawn up by federal agencies.

White House budget chief plans swift federal worker cuts as GOP pressures Democrats to end shutdown.