The ongoing US government shutdown has plunged federal workers into a state of uncertainty, with many forced into unpaid leave and others expressing frustration over their salaries being ‘held hostage.’ While essential workers remain on duty, they too face the prospect of delayed paychecks. This shutdown, which began on Wednesday, stems from partisan disputes over federal spending and Democratic demands to extend healthcare tax credits. What sets this shutdown apart is President Donald Trump’s intention to leverage the situation to implement permanent cuts to government staffing and spending. BBC News has gathered insights from federal workers, most of whom have chosen to remain anonymous due to restrictions on speaking to the media. One worker recounted the hardships of the 2018-19 shutdown, which lasted over a month, forcing them to dip into their retirement savings to cover bills. They expressed disappointment in Trump, stating, ‘I voted for Trump, but I did not vote for his abuses against us.’ Meanwhile, a Department of Homeland Security worker in New Jersey supported the shutdown, emphasizing the need to maintain checks and balances. An Army Corps of Engineers employee expressed mixed feelings, welcoming a break from the fiscal year’s pressures but questioning the shutdown’s productivity. Randall from Kansas City, who works with the Aviation Weather Center, lamented the impact on his pay, while an anonymous US Air Force employee highlighted the dilemma of working without pay. A Treasury Department worker urged Democrats to stand firm against threats to healthcare affordability. The shutdown underscores the deepening political divide and its tangible impact on federal employees.
‘My pay is being held hostage’: Federal workers on US government shutdown
