Trump’s Take on Federal Workers’ Pay Just Broke the Internet — Here’s Why

President Donald Trump silences his mobile phone in the Oval Office of the White House, May 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Washington, D.C. — October 7, 2025 - President Donald Trump cast doubt Tuesday on providing back pay to all furloughed federal workers once the ongoing government shutdown resolves, stating that "some" employees "don't deserve" retroactive compensation for missed paychecks.The remarks, delivered during a White House press briefing as the shutdown approaches its seventh day, have ignited bipartisan outrage and legal debates, with critics accusing the administration of undermining a long-standing statutory guarantee for affected employees.

The impasse, now entering its second week since funding lapsed on October 1, stems from stalled negotiations over health care subsidies and spending cuts, furloughing approximately 750,000 non-essential workers across agencies like the EPA, Commerce Department, and Labor Department.Trump, responding to questions about compensation, said, "Not everyone works hard—some are just riding the clock," refusing to commit to full back pay for all and hinting at performance-based exclusions.

A memo circulated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) earlier Tuesday argued that furloughed workers may not be eligible for back pay, citing a 2019 amendment to the 2013 Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Act that ties compensation to congressional appropriations.The document, obtained by Politico, suggests the administration could withhold pay for "non-essential" roles, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands and echoing threats during the 2018-2019 shutdown that cost the economy $11 billion.

Legal experts, including Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), countered that back pay is "guaranteed by law without question or exception," mandated under 5 U.S.C. § 3528 for all furloughed civilians.Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) added to the discord, asserting that "Congress, not the president, decides" on back pay, urging lawmakers to include it in any funding resolution.

The uncertainty has heightened anxiety among federal employees, many facing delayed mortgages, childcare costs, and grocery bills amid inflation. Essential workers—about 1.4 million, including air traffic controllers and border agents—continue unpaid, while programs like SNAP and WIC teeter on exhaustion of reserves. Economists project each additional week of shutdown could shave $1.2 billion from GDP, with ripple effects on contractors and retailers.

Democrats erupted in Congress, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling Trump's stance "cruel and un-American," vowing to attach back pay language to any bill.Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's GOP counterparts, face pressure from unions representing 2 million feds, who warned of "moral bankruptcy" in withholding wages.

As Senate talks resume Wednesday, the White House maintains the shutdown is "on Democrats" for blocking a "clean" continuing resolution, though analysts see Trump's back pay comments as leverage in health care disputes.A bipartisan deal could restore funding by week's end, but with midterms looming, the impasse risks prolonging pain for workers caught in the crossfire.For the 750,000 furloughed, the message is stark: In Trump's fiscal showdown, not all sacrifices are equal.