Government Shutdown looms as Trump Warns of Layoffs, Federal Worker Struggles Mount
WASHINGTON – A government shutdown is increasingly likely as President donald Trump threatens layoffs of federal employees ahead of the Friday deadline to fund the government. The potential shutdown threatens to disrupt vital services and leave hundreds of thousands of federal workers facing financial hardship, with some already bracing for unpaid workdays.
The looming crisis stems from a disagreement in Congress over funding for a range of government agencies. While a shutdown’s immediate impact is often felt through closed national parks and delayed passport processing, the human cost is borne by federal employees like William Cridge, a Department of Defense firefighter and single father of three. His situation highlights the precarious financial position of manny federal workers who, despite performing essential duties, earn wages that barely cover basic living expenses.
Cridge, 38, earns $16 per hour – equivalent to £11.90 – a rate he says falls below the minimum wage in some states and forces him to work a second job to provide for his children. “No matter what, I have to be here, whether the government works or not,” Cridge stated, explaining that he, like many emergency responders, is considered essential personnel and will be required to work without pay during a shutdown. “We’re spending however long they take to argue with themselves about nothing without pay.”
He expressed a growing sense of disillusionment, stating, “it’s me who protects your kids… You send your kids to the army, it’s me who puts the Band-Aids on, it’s me who makes sure they’re not on fire.” cridge feels abandoned by the government, noting, “There is no fight for us… My direct supervisors are Congress and Donald Trump.We have no one else to turn to.”
While federal employees are typically promised back-pay once the government reopens, the immediate financial strain is meaningful.Cridge is already struggling to pay rent on time and fears the impact of lost income. His union is attempting to negotiate with the federal government, but he believes their efforts are facing strong resistance.
The potential shutdown underscores the vulnerability of federal workers and the broader consequences of political gridlock. The situation remains fluid as lawmakers attempt to reach a last-minute agreement before the Friday deadline.
