Trump Orders Immediate Pay for DHS Workers as Shutdown Reaches Day 48

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday he will sign an executive order to resume pay for all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees, bypassing a deadlocked Congress to provide relief for thousands of workers who have gone weeks without a paycheck.

The move comes as the partial government shutdown enters its 48th day, officially the longest in U.S. history. While the president’s action provides an immediate financial lifeline to federal staff, it does not provide a legislative resolution to the broader funding lapse currently paralyzing parts of the agency.

Executive Action Targets Financial Hardship

The new order follows a similar maneuver signed on March 28 that specifically restored pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. Thursday's expanded directive is expected to cover approximately 47,000 non-law enforcement employees who have been working without compensation, including staff at:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• U.S. Coast Guard

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

"Help is on the way for our Brave and Patriotic Public Servants who have continued to work hard," the President stated in a social media post. He noted that families of federal employees have "suffered far too long" due to the ongoing budget stalemate.

Congressional Stalemate Persists

Despite the executive intervention, the underlying funding issue remains unresolved. Both the House and Senate met for brief pro-forma sessions on Thursday without a legislative breakthrough.

The current impasse centers on a Senate-backed plan to fund the bulk of DHS operations. However, the House has previously rejected versions of the bill that do not include specific immigration enforcement funding—the primary point of contention between the two chambers.

Impact on 2026 Federal Pay Scale

This emergency order operates independently of the standard 2026 federal pay adjustments. According to OPM documents reviewed by Reactionary Times, the 2026 pay schedule includes:

1. General Schedule (GS) Increase: A 1.0% across-the-board increase effective January 11, 2026.

2. Law Enforcement Special Rates: An additional 2.8% increase for certain law enforcement categories to match the 3.8% military pay raise.

3. Locality Pay: Rates for 2026 have been frozen at 2025 levels across all designated pay areas.

What Happens Next?

While the executive order allows the Treasury to release funds for back pay, full agency operations still require an appropriations bill passed by Congress. Republican leadership and the White House are reportedly coalescing around a two-step plan to fully restore DHS funding, though House leadership has not yet scheduled a vote on the proposal.