Trump Prioritizes Security Personnel Pay Amid Government Shutdown, Sparking Division and Legal Questions

President Donald Trump has ensured that active-duty military, federal immigration agents, and other security personnel continue receiving paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown, even as hundreds of thousands of civilian federal workers remain unpaid or furloughed. The selective funding, which prioritizes roles aligned with Trump’s national security and immigration agenda, has drawn criticism from analysts who say it reflects a partisan approach to governance as the shutdown stretches into its fourth week.

The administration’s decision protects about 70,000 law enforcement officers across agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secret Service, while leaving 1.4 million federal employees without pay. Many civilian workers, including IT specialists, Social Security staff, and air traffic controllers, will miss their first full paycheck, fueling frustration and deepening concerns over morale across federal agencies. Some employees support prioritizing military pay but view the additional carve-outs for immigration officers as divisive and unfair.

Experts and lawmakers have also raised concerns about the legality of Trump’s funding maneuvers. Critics argue that repurposing money from sources like research funds and previous spending bills to pay select workers may exceed presidential authority, violating Congress’s constitutional control over government spending. Union leaders have condemned the uneven treatment but have hesitated to challenge it in court, wary of disrupting pay for essential personnel.

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