Trump Questions Back Pay for Furloughed Federal Workers Amid Shutdown

Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration is raising concerns for federal workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown, hinting they might not receive back pay once the impasse ends. A memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicates that a 2019 law signed by Trump guaranteeing retroactive pay may not apply to those furloughed.

On Tuesday, Trump stated that back pay “depends on who we’re talking about” and that some workers “don’t deserve to be taken care of.” Approximately 750,000 federal employees are currently not receiving their salaries as the shutdown enters its first week.

Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries quickly refuted Trump’s remarks, asserting, “The law is clear — every single furloughed federal employee is entitled to back pay, period.” The OMB memo, prepared last week but reported on Tuesday, claims that while essential employees who were required to work will receive back pay, those furloughed do not have a guaranteed right to retroactive compensation.

The memo references a law signed by Trump that stipulates furloughed employees must be compensated for the duration of a funding lapse that began after December 22, 2018. Congress has been stalemated, with both parties failing to pass resolutions to reopen the government. Democrats are demanding healthcare provisions, while Republicans are pushing for a basic budget deal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, mentioned he had not yet consulted with the White House about back pay discussions. He also noted that new legal analyses are questioning the obligation to pay furloughed workers retroactively.

“Many or most of them have been paid for the time they were furloughed in past shutdowns,” Johnson said, suggesting that if legal challenges are valid, it could pressure Democrats to support the GOP’s budget proposals.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia criticized the memo, deeming it “totally illegal” and an “illegitimate attempt” to stress furloughed workers. Other Republicans, like Senator John Thune, expect furloughed workers will ultimately receive their pay, while North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis warned against creating anxiety about potential losses.

As the administration navigates this complex issue, Trump expressed concerns about the long-term impacts of the shutdown, mentioning possible permanent job losses if it continues. “It’ll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back,” he stated, while expressing hopes for a balanced budget.

Democratic leaders have dismissed Trump’s warnings about layoffs, emphasizing a need for a short-term resolution that includes health care protections previously set to expire shortly.

The American Federation of Government Employees sharply criticized the Trump administration’s approach, arguing that the notion that back pay is not guaranteed under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act is a “misinterpretation” of the law, calling for Congress to work together to resolve the shutdown.