President Trump signed a directive Tuesday instructing the Department of Homeland Security to compensate all agency employees throughout a government shutdown, expanding on an earlier order that addressed TSA workers specifically.
The memo marks the second such action in as many weeks. Last week, Trump issued a comparable order focusing exclusively on Transportation Security Administration personnel, ensuring they would receive paychecks despite any lapse in federal funding.
The DHS order now extends that protection to the broader agency workforce, which includes staff across multiple divisions and enforcement operations.
Government shutdowns have historically forced hundreds of thousands of federal workers into unpaid furloughs or required them to work without compensation until Congress appropriates new funds and the government reopens. The practice has drawn consistent criticism from workers' unions and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who argue it places undue hardship on individuals whose work is often deemed essential.
The TSA action last week was particularly notable because airport security remains operational during shutdowns; workers continue screening passengers despite the payment freeze, leading to concerns about morale and service continuity.
Trump's decision to ensure payment during shutdowns differs from past administrations' approaches, which have generally required federal employees to absorb the financial impact of funding lapses. The move signals a shift in how the White House intends to handle any potential disruption in appropriations.
The full scope of the DHS directive and its implementation timeline were not immediately detailed in the announcement.
Comments