In a decisive move amidst the ongoing federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump has instructed US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure that military personnel receive their scheduled paychecks. This directive comes as numerous federal employees face pay delays and layoffs due to the impasse over budget negotiations.
On Saturday, Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating on his Truth Social platform, “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown.” With the shutdown entering its second week, the president’s focus on military pay highlights the broader implications of the standoff between Republican and Democratic leaders who have exchanged blame for the budgetary deadlock.
Urgency to Safeguard Military Salaries
Trump’s directive mandates that Hegseth “use all available funds to get our Troops PAID” by October 15, the date when military personnel would potentially miss their first paycheck since the shutdown began on October 1. While many military employees are designated as “essential” and must report for duty without compensation, approximately 750,000 other federal workers have been furloughed, with about 40% of them sent home without pay.
Although furloughed employees are typically eligible for back pay once the shutdown concludes, the Trump administration has hinted that this might not occur, raising concerns among federal workers. “The Radical Left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT, and then we can work together to address Healthcare, and many other things that they want to destroy,” Trump asserted.
Impact on Federal Workforce and Legal Challenges
As negotiations stall, the Trump administration has taken aggressive steps, including laying off thousands of government employees—an unprecedented action during a shutdown. On Friday, Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, announced via social media that “the RIFs have begun,” referring to reductions in force.
Subsequent disclosures revealed that seven federal agencies have initiated layoffs, affecting more than 4,000 employees. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) faced significant cuts, with reports indicating the entire Washington DC office was closed. Layoffs included workers involved in critical functions such as the agency’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report and responses to Ebola and immunization efforts.
Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, defended the layoffs, claiming that the affected positions were non-essential and aligned with the administration’s agenda to streamline operations. Additionally, workers from the Treasury Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland Security were also impacted.
In response to the layoffs, major unions representing federal employees, including the American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO, have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the layoffs. AFGE President Everett Kelley criticized the administration’s actions, stating, “It is disgraceful that the Trump administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country.”
As the legal battle unfolds, government lawyers are preparing for further cuts across several departments, despite the unions’ claims for a temporary restraining order. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, as both sides continue to navigate the complex dynamics of the shutdown.