WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump continued to up the stakes in his battle with congressional Democrats over the ongoing shutdown, saying some furloughed federal workers “don’t deserve” back pay once the government reopens its doors.

With no funding deal in sight, a new draft memo circulating in the White House says furloughed workers are not entitled to recoup their missed paychecks, according to an administration official.

That’s despite Trump signing a 2019 law to provide back pay for furloughed workers after shutdowns, and earlier guidance sent out by his own administration saying the pay would be provided.

The White House legal analysis is emerging as another point of leverage as Trump and congressional Republicans try to force Democrats to agree to their government fundi

See Full Page