Key figures accused of harassment, bullying and attacks as US employees work without pay to keep services running
As the US federal shutdown enters its second month, government workers are accusing the Trump administration of being “out of control” and bullying people who are “simply trying to do their best”.
The shutdown surpassed 35 days this week, beating the previous record set under Donald Trump’s first presidential term. About 700,000 federal employees are furloughed without pay, and about 700,000 additional federal workers have been working without pay through the shutdown.
Affected workers say the shutdown has been a continuation of attacks they have experienced under the Trump administration, from mass firings – many of which have been overturned or blocked in federal courts – to drastic budget cuts, pushes to take early retirements or resignation buyouts, and threats of withholding back pay for workers furloughed during the shutdown.
I heard this report where they went to a charity food pantry in deeply Trump territory to get their perspective on the whole benefits being stopped.
This woman talked about how it was a good thing for SNAP and everything like it to go away, people need to take care of themselves. Immediately recognizing that it was an odd thing for her to say, since she was there to get food from the charity, she clarifies “I take care of myself and don’t need a handout, I’m just here because I might like some of the food for myself”.
This woman didn’t want people thinking of her as in need and thought it sounded better if she was taking food away from the poorer people…
This is how Trump still carries like 40% of the population approving of him.