As President Donald Trump’s partial government shutdown drags on over Congress’ refusal to fully fund the wall he wants to build along the nation’s southwest border, federal workers’ frustration is spilling into public view.

Trump told reporters Tuesday that “many” federal workers support the shutdown, saying he’s heard from federal workers who want him to “stay out until you get the funding for the wall.”

“These federal workers want the wall,” Trump said during a question-and-answer session in the Oval Office on Christmas Day. “The only one that doesn’t want the wall are the Democrats, because they don’t mind open borders.”

That angered many federal workers who are furloughed or going without pay over the holidays. Trump has refused to sign funding legislation until Congress gives him money for a border wall. While the two sides square off, many federal workers are wondering when they’ll get another paycheck.


“My husband is a federal worker, we need our paycheck next week to pay our mortgage,” Theresa Garcia, in Copperas Cove, Texas, tweeted, adding “#TrumpResign.”

“I am a federal worker who is working without pay. And yes, we live paycheck to paycheck. Who will pay my mortgage January 1st? You?” another federal worker tweeted at Trump.

As a federal worker, I say FUCK THE WALL. I want my paycheck. https://t.co/xV3eOqPTWb — Sean (@TheLifeOfRooney) December 25, 2018

My son is a federal worker, he wants his check, not a fucking wall. A wall doesn't pay his mortgage or day care for his 2 year old son. #Shameless #TrumpChristmasShutdown — Laurie Black (@LaurieBlackSD) December 25, 2018

I guarantee you no one in the WH has been furloughed.

I am a Federal worker and the government should never shut down.

We just want to do our jobs in service to the country. — steve ciganek (@steveciganek) December 25, 2018

This federal worker isn't one of them. — Phil (@philvinciguerra) December 25, 2018

I am a federal worker. ALLLLL the nopes. https://t.co/kK5l0abWQ2 — Hocca McFendel (@HoccaMcFendel) December 25, 2018

Even many “essential” federal workers who aren’t furloughed are having to work without pay during the shutdown, unsure when they’ll get their next paycheck. Others have faced cancellations of their paid time off, like holiday vacations or sick leave for planned medical procedures.

😡. I’m so, so sorry. I’m a non-essential federal worker in KC. My coworker’s husband is an essential employee at another federal agency and their long-planned vacation will be canceled if this circus extends into next weekend. — Rachel (@rachh99) December 24, 2018

Friends in DHS NOT happy their holiday leave/sick leave is cancelled (USG won't let you take pre-approved leave after they shut down gov't–go figure). AND as emergency response officials, they have to work with no assurance next paycheck will arrive in time to pay rent. 😞🤬 — Art Keller (@ArtKeller) December 25, 2018

Thinking of my niece, a new Masters grad and federal worker going without pay this holiday season. — Victoria Duggan (@VictoriaDuggan2) December 22, 2018

Still, some Twitter users found ways to make light of Trump’s comments while still getting in jabs at the president — and at Stephen Miller, Trump’s famously anti-immigration adviser, who has been a consistent supporter of the wall and the shutdown.

I guess Stephen Miller is technically a federal worker, no? — Jonathan Cornick (@jonathancornick) December 25, 2018

Technically Stephen Miller is a federal worker…though I’m sure he’s getting paid. — PerSister (@ChristinaLewand) December 25, 2018