Table of Contents
- Trump’s Shutdown Pay Plan
- How Funding Is Being Redirected
- Who Gets Paid—and Who Doesn’t
- Legal and Political Fallout
- Sources
Trump’s Shutdown Pay Plan
In a bold and controversial maneuver, the Trump administration announced it will pay approximately 70,000 federal law enforcement officers—including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—despite the ongoing government shutdown and the absence of congressional appropriations.
This move marks the latest escalation in President Trump’s strategy to selectively shield certain federal workers from financial hardship while leaving others unpaid, deepening the political divide over budget negotiations on Capitol Hill.
How Funding Is Being Redirected
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, the administration is tapping into funds from the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3)—Trump’s signature tax and spending package—to cover wages for ICE and TSA personnel.
The OB3 legislation, approved by congressional Republicans earlier this year, includes $31 billion earmarked specifically for immigration enforcement, including hiring and training new ICE agents. Internal DHS communications reviewed by The New York Times confirm that these funds are now being used to issue paychecks during the shutdown.
“These workers will receive checks by October 22, encompassing 4 days lost, their overtime, and their next pay period,” Noem stated in a social media post—though she declined to specify exactly which roles qualify or how long the funding can sustain payments.
Who Gets Paid—and Who Doesn’t
The administration’s selective payment strategy creates a stark contrast among federal employees:
| Workers Being Paid | Workers Still Unpaid |
|---|---|
| ICE agents | National Park Service staff |
| TSA officers & air marshals | FDA inspectors |
| Secret Service personnel | Census Bureau analysts |
| Active-duty military (via Pentagon reallocation) | IRS customer service reps |
Critics argue this approach politicizes federal payrolls, rewarding agencies aligned with Trump’s policy priorities—particularly mass deportations—while sidelining others essential to public health and safety.
Legal and Political Fallout
Constitutional scholars and budget experts warn that bypassing Congress to redirect appropriated funds may violate the Constitution’s Appropriations Clause, which grants spending authority exclusively to the legislative branch.
“This isn’t just aggressive executive action—it’s a potential overreach,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, a public finance professor at Georgetown University. “Once you start cherry-picking which agencies get paid based on political loyalty, you undermine the entire appropriations process.”
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have called for hearings into the administration’s funding maneuvers. “The president can’t just raid one pot of money to pay his favorites while teachers, scientists, and food inspectors go weeks without a paycheck,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
Still, for ICE and TSA agents facing financial uncertainty, the news brings immediate relief—even if it comes with political baggage.
