The White House budget office announced Friday that mass layoffs of federal employees have begun as part of an effort to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers amid the ongoing government shutdown. Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), confirmed on X that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the administration’s reduction-in-force plan to downsize the federal workforce.

Ahead of the Oct. 1 shutdown, the White House had directed all federal agencies to submit reduction-in-force plans for review. The OMB said these layoffs would target programs whose funding has lapsed due to the shutdown, lack of funding, or inconsistency with the president’s priorities.

According to a court filing, the administration plans to dismiss more than 4,000 federal employees, though officials noted that the situation remains “fluid and rapidly evolving.” The departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development are expected to face the most significant cuts—losing over 1,400, 1,100, and 400 employees respectively. Additional layoffs are expected at Commerce, Education, Energy, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It remains unclear which specific programs will be affected. 

Meanwhile, President Trump commented on the recent Nobel Peace Prize announcement, suggesting that the award could have recognized his 2024 peace efforts but noted that he was campaigning at the time. He shared that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, this year’s winner, called to say she accepted the award “in honor” of him. Trump joked, “I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’” before adding, “I think she might have.”

Despite recent trade tensions, Trump said he still plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month on the sidelines of a regional conference in South Korea. He admitted that China’s new export controls on rare earth materials were unexpected but confirmed, “I’m going to be there regardless.”

In another development, the administration launched a landing page for TrumpRX.gov, a new platform allowing Americans to purchase medications directly from manufacturers such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca. The site prominently displays Trump’s image and a message saying it will launch in January 2026. It was designed by The National Design Studio, a government initiative established by executive order in August and led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia.