The White House has been using Senate Democrats' government shutdown as an opportunity to scale back sections of the federal bureaucracy.

One of the latest examples came late last week when the Trump administration went scorched earth on the Office of Population Affairs (OPA).

OPA staffers face abrupt cuts

That's according to the New York Times, which reported that nearly all OPA employees had been locked out of their government computers and email accounts this past Friday.

The Times also sighted anonymous sources who indicated that some employees were told on Wednesday that they were being laid off.

It went on to quote a statement issued by Emily Hilliard, who serves as press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"All H.H.S. employees receiving reduction-in-force notices were designated nonessential by their respective divisions," Hillard declared.

The Times observed that the White House had recommended abolishing the OPA entirely in its 2026 budget proposal and later directed the entity to focus on addressing infertility problems.

Pro-life activist welcomes OPA closure

Breitbart pointed out how this week's development at the OPA was welcomed by some conservatives, including Lila Rose, who founded the pro-life group Live Action.

Amazing news!

The Trump administration has shut down the Office of Population Affairs — the agency heavily responsible for funding Planned Parenthood and pushing sexually deviant propaganda to kids.

Great win for our children.

— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) October 13, 2025

Rose put out a social media post in which she described the Trump administration's decision as being "amazing news' and a "great win for our children."

She went on to maintain that the OPA is "heavily responsible for funding Planned Parenthood and pushing sexually deviant propaganda to kids."

OPA under Biden promoted abortion, genital mutilation

Breitbart recalled that during President Joe Biden's time in office, the OPA was used to promote "puberty-blockers, cross-sex hormones, and even surgeries for sex-questioning youth."

What's more, the OPA was also used to advocate for abortion under the Biden administration's Title X family planning program.

Nevertheless, the Trump administration received criticism from Jessica Marcella, who formerly served as deputy assistant secretary for population affairs under Biden.

"The high-quality, confidential care they have relied on may disappear overnight," Marcella told the Times. "If there’s no one there to run it, then functionally the program ceases to exist."