Trump orders DHS to pay all employees despite shutdown

Published: Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 2:16 am

Trump Orders DHS Employee Pay Amid Shutdown

President Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure all its employees receive paychecks, despite the ongoing government shutdown. The order, issued Friday, instructs DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to identify funds "with a reasonable and logical nexus to the functions of DHS" to cover employee salaries. The memo cites an "emergency situation compromising the Nation's security" as justification, blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

The shutdown, which has lasted nearly two months, has left over 35,000 DHS employees without pay, including civilian Coast Guard personnel and staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency. Some DHS employees, such as Secret Service agents and active-duty Coast Guard members, have continued to receive paychecks. Employees of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have also been paid through existing funding.

This move follows a similar order last week to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, prompted by staffing shortages and long airport lines. The shutdown stems from a dispute over immigration enforcement policy. Democrats have opposed funding ICE and CBP without policy changes, particularly after a recent incident involving immigration agents.

A potential path forward has emerged with a Senate-approved bill to fund most of DHS, excluding ICE and parts of CBP. House Republicans initially rejected this plan but now indicate they plan to pass the majority of DHS funding through this route. They intend to fund the remaining agencies, including ICE and CBP, through the Senate's reconciliation process, which requires a simple majority vote. The House has yet to act on the Senate's bill.

BNN's Perspective:

While the President's decision to ensure DHS employees are paid is a welcome step, it highlights the ongoing dysfunction of the government. The use of emergency powers and financial maneuvering to circumvent the legislative process underscores the need for bipartisan compromise to resolve the underlying issues driving the shutdown. A sustainable solution requires both parties to find common ground on immigration policy and government funding.

Keywords: Trump, DHS, shutdown, employee pay, government shutdown, Markwayne Mullin, Russell Vought, ICE, CBP, TSA, immigration, funding, emergency, security, Democrats, Republicans, Senate, House

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