‘Depends who we’re talking about’: Trump says some federal workers don’t ‘deserve’ back pay after shutdown

As the government shutdown wears on, the Donald Trump administration is finding new ways to pressure Democrats into voting for the GOP’s short-term funding proposal. According to reports, Trump is now considering not paying furloughed federal employees their back pay.

The Republicans are playing a high-stakes game of chess where regular, everyday Americans are treated as pawns. The cause of the shutdown lies in the Democrats’ goal to ensure that, through tax benefits, Obamacare premiums don’t rise exponentially — a position the some in the GOP opposes because they believe the Affordable Care Act is ultimately unsustainable. And because of this gridlock, federal employees, both essential and otherwise, have been forced to go without pay until the two major parties reach an agreement. Although it’s worth mentioning that some members of the GOP might be reconsidering their stance.

There was a recent development, however, when a memo from the White House revealed that the Trump administration is considering not paying some furloughed employees. NBC reports that although a 2019 law requires the government to give all furloughed employees back pay, it appears the Trump administration has found a loophole.

The White House reportedly believes that federal employees are not automatically entitled to back pay. A small change to the 2019 law added a clause stating that back pay is “subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.” The administration has interpreted this clause to mean that Congress must first approve such payments.

When reporters approached the GOP leader in Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson, for comment, his response was measured and evasive. Still, there was a glimpse of how he might act if the decision were left to him. Johnson said, in part, “There are some legal analysts who are saying that that may not be appropriate or necessary in terms of the law requiring that back pay be provided.”

Trump, however, has always been direct — for better or worse. When asked about his position on back pay, he bluntly told reporters, “I would say it depends on who we’re talking about. For the most part, we’re going to take care of our people. There are some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of, and we’ll take care of them in a different way.”

The Trump administration has already faced various roadblocks to its agenda. For instance, the CDC recently called out Robert F. Kennedy as a threat to public safety and has warned that the shutdown will hinder its ability to communicate during a potential health emergency. And depending on whether Trump chooses to be vindictive toward such agencies, those employees who eventually return to work may find themselves denied back pay altogether. 

It’s probable, however, that agencies favoured by Trump, such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will still receive their back pay. In fact, ICE is considered an essential service by this administration and remains fully operational, with the ability to continue conducting raids throughout the shutdown.

Speculation on which federal employees Trump will “take care of” will likely grow in the coming days. But one thing is clear — Trump appears intent on reshaping the U.S. government in his own image, one that operates strictly on quid pro quo.