Trump has had his fair share of lawsuits levied against him. But this is beyond the pale.
Now Democrats threatened to throw Donald Trump straight back into court for a ridiculous reason.
Democrats Escalate Fight with Lawsuit Threats Over Shutdown Tactics
Lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia in the Democratic caucus fired off warnings Tuesday, pledging court action against the White House’s aggressive moves, including abrupt dismissals and warnings that sidelined workers might forfeit retroactive wages.
These maneuvers have served as leverage from the administration to prod Senate Democrats into yielding on their steadfast stance to end the partial government closure, though concrete steps only materialized toward the week’s end.
In a memo distributed late last month by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), officials signaled that workforce cuts—known as reductions in force (RIFs)—would exceed standard shutdown furloughs. The warning hung in the air until OMB chief Russ Vought declared on X during the shutdown’s 10th day: “The RIFs have begun.”
By the 14th day, senators from Maryland and Virginia—regions teeming with federal workers—refused to waver, even as dismissals ramped up.
Outrage Mounts Over Firings and Denied Back Pay
“When they tell you when they tell you that the shutdown is making them fire these federal employees, do not believe it for a moment,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said. “That is a big lie. It is a big fat lie. It is also illegal. And we will see them in court.”
The group also blasted the administration’s hints that furloughed staff could go unpaid upon resolution, a stance clashing with a 2019 law signed by President Donald Trump mandating back pay for such workers. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects around 750,000 non-essential employees affected, with daily back pay potentially totaling $400 million.
“The idea that he doesn’t understand that everybody has to get paid back shows maybe how short his memory span is, or how [he] arbitrarily wants to pick and choose,” Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said.
Rob Shriver, ex-acting head of the Office of Personnel Management under President Biden and now at the advocacy group Democracy Forward, confirmed a legal challenge was already underway.
“As soon as Russ Vought tweeted on Friday, we were on our way back to court to file an emergency motion to stop those unlawful RIFs right in their tracks,” Shriver said. “A hearing on that motion is tomorrow, and no matter what happens, we will continue to fight these illegal RIFs.”
Shutdown Impasse Deepens Amid Unyielding Positions
Progress toward resolving the deadlock remains elusive, with the Senate set for another showdown Tuesday evening on the House GOP’s continuing resolution (CR), which has flopped seven times already. Entrenched views on both sides show no give.
Under Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Democrats insist on securing an extension for Obamacare subsidies set to lapse before open enrollment kicks off November 1. Republicans in the Senate counter that talks on healthcare can only start once operations resume.
Far from softening Democratic lines, the administration’s hardball appears to have fortified their determination.
“The message we have today is very simple, very simple,” Van Hollen said. “Donald Trump and Russ Vought: stop attacking federal employees. Stop attacking the American people and start negotiating to reopen the federal government and address the looming healthcare crisis that is upon us.”
