Federal judge REFUSES to make Trump pay federal employees who say they're SLAVES work

[Peter1469]

Federal judge REFUSES to make Trump pay federal employees who say they're SLAVES working for free during shutdown – and won't intervene in 'squabble' that he calls a 'political problem'

Well that is disappointing. Violating fiscal law is not a political problem....

A federal judge decided Tuesday that he won't intervene in the 25-day-old government shutdown, refusing to force the Trump administration to release 780,000 unpaid federal workers from employment limbo.

Judge Richard Leon denied petitions from two government employees' unions and their members for a temporary restraining order that would have ended the practice of making some workers perform their duties without salaries and requiring others to stay home without earning money at other jobs.


Leon said after hearing oral arguments that he sympathized with out-of-work federal employees. But the shutdown 'squabble,' he ruled, shouldn't be solved by using federal courts as a source of leverage by one side of a dispute against another.


Some workers claim Trump is violating their Fifth Amendment rights by taking their property – their salaries – without due process. Others say he's unconstitutionally treating them like slaves, forcing them to work for free without sufficient reason.


The National Treasury Employees Union and National Air Traffic Controllers Association say forcing government employees to work without pay violates the U.S. Constitution and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

[Captdon]

They should pursue it. If not right, lay them off. That will close the border and the airports. Then it becomes a game of chicken. Hell of a way to run a railroad.

[Tahuyaman]

Some workers claim Trump is violating their Fifth Amendment rights by taking their property – their salaries – without due process. Others say he's unconstitutionally treating them like slaves, forcing them to work for free without sufficient reason.

Tecnically Trump isn't is not in violation of anything. The congress has yet to pass a bill and send it up for his signature or veto. They should force his hand. What's stopping them?

[MisterVeritis]

Federal judge REFUSES to make Trump pay federal employees who say they're SLAVES working for free during shutdown – and won't intervene in 'squabble' that he calls a 'political problem'

Well that is disappointing. Violating fiscal law is not a political problem...

Lay them off. Thank them for their time. Wish them luck in their job hunt.

It is wholly a political problem. The Democratic Party is so close to having a generational lock on national offices. They just need a few more illegal aliens and legal third worlders.

The American people need a defended border with a wall as its foundation.

[Green Arrow]

The judge got it wrong. Yes, the shutdown is a political problem, but that has nothing to do with the workers. Either don’t have them working until the shutdown is lifted, or pay them for the work they do.

[MisterVeritis]

The judge got it wrong. Yes, the shutdown is a political problem, but that has nothing to do with the workers. Either don’t have them working until the shutdown is lifted, or pay them for the work they do.

The judge cannot budget money. Nor can the judge tell the legislators they must budget money.

So fire all of the nonessential people. I heard this morning that 95% of the IRS was furloughed as nonessential. Give them their layoff notices.

[pjohns]

I am, admittedly, in a quandary about this: These workers are classified as being essential; so they cannot be let off.

But I do not see how they may be paid during a government shutdown.

I really do not see a good solution here.

But perhaps I am mistaken...

[HawkTheSlayer]

It's simple. If they are going to recieve back pay, they should keep working.
Those who ​voluntarily choose to cease work, should not get back pay for doing nothing.

[Captdon]

I am, admittedly, in a quandary about this: These workers are classified as being essential; so they cannot be let off.

But I do not see how they may be paid during a government shutdown.

I really do not see a good solution here.

But perhaps I am mistaken...

Congress can pass a spending bill that Trump will sign.

[Tahuyaman]

The judge got it wrong. Yes, the shutdown is a political problem, but that has nothing to do with the workers. Either don’t have them working until the shutdown is lifted, or pay them for the work they do.

They will be paid.