Trump says Insurrection Act is on the table as unrest escalates
President Donald Trump told reporters he would invoke the Insurrection Act “if necessary.”
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said some federal workers will not be “deserving” of receiving back pay after the federal government shutdown ends, marking a significant departure from previous shutdowns.
“It depends on who we’re talking about,” Trump said at the Oval Office on Oct. 7 in response to questions from reporters. “I can tell you this, the Democrats have put a lot of people at great risk and danger, but it really depends on who you’re talking to.”
Trump added: “Most of the time we take care of our people. There are people who really don’t deserve to be taken care of.
Trump’s comments come as a new legal analysis from the White House claims 750,000 employees are not entitled to back pay when they return during the shutdown, administration officials told USA Today.
If the administration chooses to deny paychecks to federal workers, the White House could use the move to put additional pressure on Democrats in Congress to join Republicans in funding the government. Democrats are pushing health care policy changes in the funding bill to reopen the government.
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