Deepening crisis grips federal workforce as President Trump floats idea denying back pay to some 750,000 furloughed employees. Shutdown, now entering second week, leaves workers home without income, heightening anxiety over lost wages.
Trump addressed reporters today, hinting selective compensation upon reopening. “Depends on who we discuss,” he stated. “Mostly, we care for our people. Some really don’t deserve care—we handle them differently.” Pressed for clarity, president deflected: “Figure that out. Ask Democrats.”
Proposal clashes sharply with 2019 law Trump himself signed, guaranteeing back pay for all furloughed staff post-shutdown. White House draft memo circulates, arguing furloughs exempt workers from entitlement, contradicting prior guidance from Office of Personnel Management.
Democrats decry move as illegal power grab. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted administration: “Torturing federal employees since day one—firings, harassment, law violations.” Senate’s Patty Murray called it “lawless,” plotting to rob workers of due pay.
Even Republicans voice unease. Unnamed GOP lawmaker labeled threat “strategic mistake.” “Plenty good, hardworking folks out there. Not helpful now. End shutdown first.”
Personal stories underscore human cost. James Jones, veteran and National Park Service mechanic in North Carolina, faces furlough hardship. “No back pay devastates many,” he shared. “Folks rely on that cash to catch up—bills stack quick.”
Union leaders, including American Federation of Government Employees, fire back fiercely. They insist law clear: every furloughed employee entitled to compensation. Full stop. Threats seen as bargaining chip to pressure Democrats on funding disputes, including Obamacare subsidy extensions.
Meanwhile, Congress members collect paychecks uninterrupted, fueling public ire. Shutdown stems from stalled budget talks, with Republicans pushing clean resolution, Democrats demanding broader protections.
Experts warn prolonged impasse risks broader fallout—delayed veteran benefits, nutrition programs strained, air travel disruptions mounting. White House eyes tariff revenues to patch gaps, like funding WIC for vulnerable families.
Federal employees, from park rangers to mechanics, brace for worst. Jones echoed sentiment: depend on steady income, single parents hit hardest. As bills mount, shutdown tests resilience of those serving nation daily.
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Resolution elusive, pressure builds for compromise. Lawmakers reconvene soon, but Trump’s rhetoric signals tough road ahead. Workers wait, uncertainty clouding futures.
Most of the information in this news has been archived from ABC News.
