Trump issues decree blocking compensation of federal employees in 2019

Trump told legislators that he was considering cutting the 2019 premium for federal workers in August, saying the federal budget could not support it. In addition to the 2.1% salary increase, the decree also cancels an annual adjustment of paychecks based on the region of the country where workers are posted, called "wage increase by locality", which was to enter into force in January.

Approximately 380,000 federal public servants are on leave and 420,000 work without pay as New Year approaches.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders in August, Trump described 39, "inappropriate" increase

"We must continue our efforts to put our country on a financially viable path, and the budgets of the federal agencies can not support such increases," wrote the president.

Trump also pointed out that a wage freeze would not affect the federal government's ability to attract skilled workers. He cited his statutory authority to adjust wages according to "national emergency or severe economic conditions affecting general welfare".