Trump Already Using Shutdown Slashing Federal Spending, Plans to Make Job Cuts

CAPITOL HILL - President Trump is using the government shutdown as an opportunity to cut federal spending. Those potential cuts could mean some federal employees risk facing permanent layoffs.

As lawmakers in Washington remain deadlocked on day three of the government shutdown, the Senate is expected to vote again on a funding bill today.

President Trump is calling the federal shutdown an "unprecedented opportunity" to downsize the government.

In a meeting with Budget Director Russell Vought on Thursday, Trump said the two would discuss which federal agencies should face temporary or permanent cuts.

"I'm allowed to cut things that should have never been approved in the first place and I will probably do that," Trump said.

The talks are happening on the heels of the president freezing about $18 billion in funding for New York City infrastructure projects and canceling another $8 billion for climate projects in 16 Democratic-leaning states...