Federal shutdown layoffs could be in the 'thousands,' Leavitt says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt predicted "thousands" of federal layoffs if the government shutdown continues, going on to comment on the war in Ukraine. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! This government shutdown isn’t President Donald Trump’s first rodeo navigating a lapse in government funding — but this time, the focus is less on the White House as all eyes are locked on Congress and its budget impasse.