Trump owned this government shutdown. He specifically took the blame for it before it happened, and then he sought to point fingers at others after it became a reality. Now, with Christmas a day away, many federal employees are clueless as to when they will receive their next paycheck.
While most employees likely did not miss out on a paycheck yet, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t affecting their ability to buy gifts for their loved ones. With no end in sight, many Americans simply don’t know how long they will need to survive off of their last paycheck. It could be days or even weeks. Rent becomes due, bills require payment and emergencies happen. Without the certainty of a paycheck coming in, many families had to go light or even skip out on last-minute gifts this year.
That’s not all though. This shutdown has somewhat of a trickle-down effect, one that is affecting many people who don’t even work for the government.
Federal Employees, and just everyday Americans, have been telling their stories on Twitter and other social media outlets since Trump decided to shut down the government last week. Here are a few of the instances where people and their families have been affected by this Christmas shutdown. Not all of them are even Government employees, but the effects seem to be trickling down.
My husband is a tattoo artist. 3 clients have canceled because they doubt they’ll have paychecks. That’s our paycheck for the week after Xmas. #ThanksTrump #ShutdownStories #TrumpChristmasShutdown
— ‘Tine Welch (@louie_service) December 23, 2018
I had cancer surgery first of month and was going to go visit my daughter I haven’t seen in a very long time after Christmas, but without my paycheck I cannot pay for the trip and most likely will not see her again before die @realDonaldTrump is a asshole. #ShutdownStories
— John (@aceokcflyer) December 24, 2018
My husband is a Park Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and he had to sign his furlough papers. We have a 4 yr old and a 4 month old, and we don't know when his next check will come. Mortgage is due, Christmas 2 days away. #ShutdownStories
— Taylor Futch (@TaylorFutch1) December 24, 2018
The fact that my guy won’t get paid until the government is back up and running irritates me to no end.
People deserve to be paid for their hard work. People rely on their paychecks to get by. Get your shit together, @realDonaldTrump.
— Alicia Greer (@aliciagreer) December 24, 2018
Yes, my son and his wife are both affected. No paycheck for the holiday. So Trump the Grinch steals Christmas from thousands.
— Laurel Greene (@cagone07) December 24, 2018
Way to pat yourselves on the back @senatemajldr while my best friend sits here at CHRISTMAS with no paycheck because the @POTUS is running the United States of America like it’s an elementary school playground.
— Spenser Smith (@SpenserSm1th) December 24, 2018
#ShutdownStories I have family and friends that took back Christmas presents so they can afford rent and food once the paychecks stop. It’s hella expensive to live in the dc area. Everyone I know lives paycheck to paycheck. Missed pay will decimate them.
— Susan🌈🌈🌈 (@SusanJustSusan) December 23, 2018
Can’t review govt clinical guidelines or search PubMed. Can’t get veterans seen non-emergently. Can’t get students’ GI Bill money. Can’t get passports updated. Can’t submit or receive research grants. #ShutdownStories
— Shasta Bluestocking (@shastableus) December 24, 2018
The Army Corps of Engineers was finally going to issue my husband and I a building permit by the of this month after waiting more than two years, it won’t happpen now before build deadline. #shutdownstories #TrumpShutdown #ResignTrump
— dmorris (@akgirl37) December 24, 2018
We are on our way home from visiting family and preparing to return to work on Wednesday instead of the vacation with our two kids we expected because annual leave has been denied for all essential federal workers. #shutdownstories pic.twitter.com/Jz9CHxxd23
— Lyndsi Parker (@lyndsi_rae) December 24, 2018
Donald took a Dump on my vacation, no one is cleaning bathrooms in parks #ShutdownStories
— Oppression.org (@OppressionOrg) December 24, 2018
#ShutdownStories I work under an NIH grant,using stem cells.I found out that scientists at the NIH don't work with stem cells, because the cells must be babysat every day. And theyd always be in fear of a shutdown. Months or years of science down the drain for a baby's tantrums.
— KimWim (@kimwim) December 24, 2018
I can't believe you're actually shutting down the government right at #Christmastime. But it's all good because some of the people feeling the #Shutdown are Trump supporters too. #GovernmentShutdown #CreateForACause #ShutdownStories #BeBest pic.twitter.com/4QLWPvRGZY
— I Am Neecha (@AuthorJoeNBrown) December 24, 2018