In a bold and controversial move, President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that certain federal employees, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents, continue to receive their full pay during the ongoing government shutdown. This decision has raised concerns about the legality and fairness of prioritizing payments to specific groups of federal workers while others face financial uncertainty.
According to a memo obtained by HuffPost, the White House has ordered DHS to guarantee “full and timely payments” to ICE, Border Patrol, and Customs and Border Protection officers for the duration of the shutdown. This directive has left many questioning the source of these funds and the legal justification behind the decision. Additionally, while these employees are promised their salaries and back pay by October 22, the DHS staff responsible for processing these payments will not receive compensation until after the shutdown ends, highlighting a stark disparity in treatment.
Critics have pointed out the potential illegality of Trump’s actions, as he seeks to bypass Congress and use funds allocated for other purposes to pay these favored federal workers. The move has been likened to an abuse of power, with concerns raised about the erosion of checks and balances within the government. Furthermore, Trump’s reported discussions about relying on a wealthy individual to cover military pay during the shutdown have added another layer of controversy to the situation.
In response to these developments, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) plans to introduce legislation that would force Democrats to vote on paying over 1 million military service members during the shutdown. This move underscores the political tensions surrounding the issue of federal employee compensation and highlights the broader implications of the ongoing government funding lapse.
As Trump continues to push for his architectural legacy in Washington, including plans for a Paris-like arch near the Lincoln Memorial, the focus on his administration’s handling of the shutdown and its impact on federal workers remains a contentious issue. With the Supreme Court expected to close over the weekend due to the shutdown, the stakes are high as legal challenges and political maneuvers play out in the midst of a deeply divided political landscape.
The decision to prioritize payments to certain federal employees during the shutdown has sparked outrage and raised questions about the legality and fairness of Trump’s actions. As the political fallout continues to unfold, the implications of these moves for government operations and the rule of law remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
#NexSouk #AIForGood #EthicalAI #GovernmentShutdown #FederalWorkers
References:
1. https://www.dailykos.com/story/2025/10/16/2348929/-Trump-plans-to-pay-his-favorite-fascists-during-GOP-shutdown?pm_campaign=blog&pm_medium=rss&pm_source=
2. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trump-plans-leave-mark-washington-building-paris-arch-126598978
3. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5560341-thune-vote-troop-pay-shutdown/
4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-looks-to-cement-his-architectural-legacy-as-democrats-bristle/
5. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/17/supreme-court-close-weekend-due-shutdown/
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