Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., accused President Donald Trump of "mafia-style blackmail" for the Office of Management and Budget's directive for mass firings beyond the norm in the event of a government shutdown. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
"He is threatening to double down on the failed actions of Elon Musk and his chainsaw — going after patriotic civil servants that provide Americans with critical services — despite having to rehire many of these workers after Americans experienced the negative impact of those cuts," he said.
"These dedicated workers have nothing to do with the ongoing political and policy disputes that have brought us to the brink of a shutdown," Van Hollen continued. "These threats are not only an attack on Americans’ services and benefits, they’re also likely illegal. We’ll be fighting back with every tool we have."
Van Hollen’s ire comes as the Trump administration is gearing up for mass firings beyond the standard furloughs in a government shutdown.
TRUMP CANCELS MEETING WITH SCHUMER, JEFFRIES OVER 'RIDICULOUS DEMANDS' AS FUNDING DEADLINE LOOMS
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's meeting at the White House this week was canceled. (Reuters)
Lawmakers are set to return to Washington on Monday, just a day before the deadline to fund the government. Senate Democrats blocked the GOP’s CR last week, and demanded a seat at the table to negotiate with congressional Republican leaders and Trump.
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However, Republicans have pushed back against Democrats' counter-proposal as unserious, and are unwilling to budge on a laundry list of items tossed into their CR, which included permanently extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, repealing the healthcare section of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," and clawing back canceled funding for NPR and PBS.
A meeting between Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Trump was set for Thursday, but the president canceled, and accused Democrats of "ridiculous" demands in their counteroffer to the GOP’s plan.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-progressive-accuses-trump-mafia-style-blackmail-shutdown-fight