Trump's shutdown trap?

Has President Trump suckered Democrats and the Deep State into a trap that will enable a radical downsizing of the federal bureaucracy? In only 5 more days of the already-“longest government shutdown in history” (25 days and counting, as of today), a heretofore obscure threshold will be reached, enabling permanent layoffs of bureaucrats furloughed 30 days or more.

Don’t believe me that federal bureaucrats can be laid off? Well, in bureaucratese, a layoff is called a RIF – a Reduction in Force, and of course, it comes with a slew of civil service protections. But, if the guidelines are followed, bureaucrats can be laid off -- as in no more job. It is all explained by Michael Roberts here (updated after the beginning of the partial shutdown):

Stays - Agencies - Factors - Account
In deciding who stays and who goes, federal agencies must take four factors into account:

Agencies cannot use RIF procedures to fire bad employees.

Lot - Procedures - Merit - Performance - Consideration
A lot of procedures must be followed, and merit (“performance”) is the last consideration, but based on the criteria above, employees already furloughed can be laid off (“RIFed”) once they have been furloughed for 30 days or 22 work days):

When agencies furlough employees for more than 30 calendar days or 22 discontinuous work days, they must use RIF procedures.

Employee - Position…
An employee can be terminated or moved into an available position….

This seems to be what was referenced in this remarkable essay written by an “unidentified senior Trump official” published in the Daily Caller, which vouches for the authenticity of the author, and explains that it is protecting him or her from adverse career consequences should the name become known. I strongly recommend reading the whole thing.

Official - Case - Devotion - Process - Time
The purported senior official makes the case that devotion to “process” eats up most of the time of federal bureaucrats and is also used by enemies of President Trump’s...

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Comments (46)

Bill, this is the longest shutdown. Let's see where it goes.
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this could end up being an opportunity for the people, when they realize they do not need the government
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bit o an overstatement there Jac , Trump has the political mandate for a wall , just not the funding , and If Obama can send 5 billion to Iran no questions asked , Trump should be able to build a wall costing the same amount .
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Ep- Obama palleted 150B to Iran in the darkness of night.
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oh well close , get my point though .
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Just read that the government is indeed in need of downsizing as many don't even have much work to do
Trying to find the article back that was written by someone who worked there and telling all wave
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I made no reference to the wall, epirb.
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it is what the shutdown is over , or rather the money to build the wall . It is also crunch time for Trump , 2020 will be won , lost in the next few weeks . Trump has his supporters and they want a wall .
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Are you really that obtuse that you think the shut down is about a wall, epirb?

Do you not pick up on any of the psychosocial interaction?
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Ignoring the psychosocial interaction is naive.

The majority of those who salute and say 'Lest we forget' every Remembrance Day don't even have an inkling of what they're supposed to be remembering.

How it came to be.
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Jac really needs to do some study of History!laugh
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Trump did say before he became No 45 that he would stop hiring government workers (tax payers employees) so has he found a way to reduce the number as well.
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would you like to link to that?
Or are you just ranting again?
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I think you're talking to a hater and no matter what Trump's objectives are, she manages to twist it around. Lol..C, now that's not going to happen.
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Believe it or not, the word obtuse aptly describes her more than anyone else. rolling on the floor laughing
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Conrad73 if you meaning my post about just ranting again here is a link but you most likely call it fake news.
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Yeah, don't worry about it LJ.

As a legal immigrant, you're only second in line.

Although, I recommend you get false papers to prove you're of undiluted European descent.
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OMFG.Wikipedia!rolling on the floor laughing
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Embedded image from another site
laugh
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Bill, you know this's probably going to be resolved very soon.
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Uber-Liberal ranting again!rolling on the floor laughing
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And again, Conrad.
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rolling on the floor laughing
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Embedded image from another site
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Embedded image from another site

The Bern sputtering!laugh
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Bernie Sanders says "As World Faces Climate Crisis, 95% of EPA Workers Furloughed During Trump shut down."

To which I say if 95% of the EPA is non-essential, then why not fire them all after the 30 day 22 working day shutdown takes place?

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Oh dear, Conrad.

After mocking Inthecountryside for citing a wikipedia article, you evidence your argument with a picture.

At 15.07 minutes of this video, Trump proceeds to take full responsibility for the shut down and says he won't blame the Democrats. He says he's going to shut down the government until he gets the border security he wants in the way he wants.



Earlier in the video Trump demonstrates he is not prepared to have an evidence based discussion regarding the best option for the American people.

Your cartoon has been drawn inaccurately.
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oh gawd , an inaccurate cartoon , we are doomed .
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Jac,learn how to troll,your efforts are totally inadequate!laugh comfort
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And again, Conrad: belittling, laughing, no contribution to the discussion.
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Jac,are you a Stand-in for Lou-lou?confused
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Willy3411

Willy3411

Lawton, Oklahoma, USA

Retired old guy. Loves sports, music, and karaoke. Not shy about singing.Love to travel. Love to go to beaches and warm weather outdoor events. U.S. Air Force Veteran. I am here for the blogs. I am an amputee. My lower leg is gone.

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