US Government Shutdown Breaks Record, Leaving Defense Civilians Struggling

Nearly a million Defense civilians are working without pay. The shutdown's impact on their lives and national security is growing urgent.

, and Administrator

2025 November 5 . 1:10 PM

1 min read

In this image we can see demolished house and few soldiers standing.

US Government Shutdown Breaks Record, Leaving Defense Civilians Struggling

The US has surpassed the record for the longest government shutdown in history. This has left nearly a million Defense Department civilian employees, over half of whom are working unpaid, grappling with financial hardship and low morale due to missed paychecks. Many civilian employees, including veterans and military family members, are struggling to make ends meet due to the shutdown's impact on their personal finance. One civilian expressed concerns about national security, as financial hardship can impact the security clearance process. These civilians serve in critical roles such as medical professionals, firefighters, intelligence analysts, and teachers. The Trump administration has been able to pay service members in uniform during the shutdown by moving funds between accounts. However, it's unclear where funds will come from for future paychecks of civilian employees. The rhetoric around government civilians by the administration has left many feeling abandoned and undervalued, with morale among these employees falling fast. Some are actively looking to leave federal service after years or even decades of commitment. As the shutdown continues, the financial strain on Defense Department civilian employees grows, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution. With Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin now in office, attention must be given to the plight of these employees.