Federal employees in the United States are facing significant uncertainty as the government shutdown continues, leaving many on unpaid leave. Some workers described their pay as being “held hostage” due to the budget impasse.
Even essential personnel, who may continue to work, are experiencing the financial strain of not receiving timely payment. The current shutdown stems from disputes over federal spending, particularly concerning healthcare tax credits, and presents a unique situation as President Donald Trump aims to implement permanent cuts to government staffing and expenditures.
BBC News has gathered firsthand accounts from federal workers. These individuals, who must remain anonymous to avoid disciplinary action, shared their diverse perspectives on the shutdown’s impact and its underlying political motivations. While many voiced concerns about their financial stability and the disruption to their lives, a notable portion expressed a nuanced or even supportive stance, citing the importance of maintaining checks and balances in government, even at personal cost.
One federal employee, who voted for President Trump, expressed deep conflict, stating, “I voted for Trump, but I did not vote for his abuses against us.” The experience of a previous shutdown, which lasted over a month, has left him concerned about his ability to pay bills without access to retirement funds, which have become harder to withdraw.
Similarly, an employee from the Department of Homeland Security in New Jersey voiced support for the shutdown despite working without pay. He believes it is a necessary measure to uphold the balance of power, stating, “The president’s circumvention of Congress’ power of the purse has been left unchecked by the Supreme Court. Checks and balances must be maintained.”
Another worker, employed by the Army Corps of Engineers, admitted to feeling conflicted but welcomed a break from the intense year-end workload. She supports the shutdown only if it leads to productive outcomes, a result she remains uncertain about.
Randall from Kansas City, working with the Aviation Weather Center, expressed frustration, saying, “I don’t like my pay being held hostage while the government fights over separate issues.” He questioned why essential services like the National Weather Service face funding disruptions due to broader political disagreements.
An anonymous US Air Force employee highlighted the difficult choice between reporting to work unpaid and facing consequences for absence, stating, “I must still show up to work but won’t get paid, because if I don’t it’s considered AWOL.”
A Department of the Treasury employee urged Democrats to remain firm in their stance against what she described as an “assault on healthcare and affordability,” emphasizing that job threats would not sway her position.
Additional reporting by Kris Bramwell, Mary Litchfield, Alex Akhurst and Imogen James